TFPI inhibitors and methods of use

ABSTRACT

The invention provides peptides that bind Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI), including TFPI-inhibitory peptides, and compositions thereof. The peptides may be used to inhibit a TFPI, enhance thrombin formation in a clotting factor-deficient subject, increase blood clot formation in a subject, and/or treat a blood coagulation disorder in a subject.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/139,272, filed Dec. 19, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to peptides that bind Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) and uses thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hemostasis relies on the complex coagulation cascade, wherein a series of events mediated by blood clotting factors lead to conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. Factor X (FX) activation is the central event of both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of the coagulation cascade. The extrinsic pathway has been proposed as the primary activator of the coagulation cascade (Mackman et al., Arterioscler. Thromb. Case. Biol., 27, 1687-1693 (2007)). Circulating Tissue Factor (TF) and activated Factor VII (FVIIa) interact to form the “extrinsic complex,” which mediates activation of FX. The coagulation cascade is amplified by the intrinsic pathway, during which successive activation of factors XII, XI, IX, and VIII results in formation of the “intrinsic” FIXa-FVIIIa complex that also mediates FX activation. Activated FX promotes thrombin formation, which is required for the body to create fibrin and effectively curb bleeding.

Severe bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, result from disruption of the blood coagulation cascade. Hemophilia A, the most common type of hemophilia, stems from a deficiency in factor VIII, while hemophilia B is associated with deficiencies in Factor IX (FIX). Hemophilia C is caused by a deficiency in Factor XI (FXI) (Cawthern et al., Blood, 91(12), 4581-4592 (1998)). There is currently no cure for hemophilia and other clotting diseases. Factor replacement therapy is the most common treatment for blood coagulation disorders. However, blood clotting factors typically are cleared from the bloodstream shortly after administration. To be effective, a patient must receive frequent intravenous infusions of plasma-derived or recombinant factor concentrates, which is uncomfortable, requires clinical settings, is expensive, and is time consuming. In addition, therapeutic efficacy of factor replacement therapy can diminish drastically upon formation of inhibitory antibodies. Approximately 30% of patients with severe hemophilia A develop inhibitory antibodies that neutralize Factor VIII (FVIII) (Peerlinck and Hermans, Haemophilia, 12, 579-590 (2006)). Few therapeutic options exist for patients with anti-Factor antibodies.

Thus, there exists a need in the art for compositions and methods for treating blood coagulation disorders. The invention provides such compositions and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides peptides that bind to Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI), including TFPI antagonistic peptides having the ability to modulate the blood coagulation cascade. For example, the invention provides a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence X₇X₈X₉X₁₀X₁₁X₁₂X₁₃X₁₄X₁₅X₁₆X₁₇X₁₈X₁₉X₂₀X₂₁ (SEQ ID NO: 3109), wherein

X₇ is selected from the group consisting of L, P, K, S, W, V, N, and Q;

X₈ is selected from the group consisting of L, R, N, F, and I;

X₉ is selected from the group consisting of Y, V, P, and C;

X₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of F, L, and G;

X₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of L, W, V, A, M, T, and S;

X₁₂ is selected from the group consisting of T, F, V, R, A, D, L, E, S, and Y;

X₁₃ is selected from the group consisting of I, M, G, Q, D, and R;

X₁₄ is selected from the group consisting of G, W, Y, L, M, and H;

X₁₅ is selected from the group consisting of N, P, F, H, K, and Y;

X₁₆ is selected from the group consisting of M, D, E, V, G, and K;

X₁₇ is selected from the group consisting of G, I, R, S, T, and L;

X₁₈ is selected from the group consisting of M, K, L, and I;

X₁₉ is selected from the group consisting of Y, G, R, and S;

X₂₀ is selected from the group consisting of A, E, S, C, and Y; and

X₂₁ is selected from the group consisting of A, V, K, and E.

In one aspect, the peptide comprises one or more N-terminal amino acid(s) directly linked to X₇, wherein the N-terminal amino acid(s) comprise the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of

X₆, X₅X₆, X₄X₅X₆, X₃X₄X₅X₆ (SEQ ID NO: 3110), X₂X₃X₄X₅X₆ (SEQ ID NO: 3111), and X₁X₂X₃X₄X₅X₆ (SEQ ID NO: 3112), wherein X₁ is selected from the group consisting of T and G; X₂ is selected from the group consisting of F and V; X₃ is selected from the group consisting of V, W, Y, and F; X₄ is selected from the group consisting of D, Q, and S; X₅ is selected from the group consisting of E, T, N, and S; and X₆ is selected from the group consisting of R, H, K, and A.

Alternatively or in addition, the peptide comprises one or more C-terminal amino acids directly linked to X₂₁, wherein the C-terminal amino acid(s) comprise the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of

X₂₂, X₂₂X₂₃, X₂₂X₂₃X₂₄, X₂₂X₂₃X₂₄X₂₅ (SEQ ID NO: 3113), X₂₂X₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆ (SEQ ID NO: 3114), and X₂₂X₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆X₂₇ (SEQ ID NO: 3115), wherein X₂₂ is selected from the group consisting of Q, I, E, W, R, L, and N; X₂₃ is selected from the group consisting of L, V, M, and R; X₂₄ is selected from the group consisting of K, L, A, and Y; X₂₅ is F; X₂₆ is G; and X₂₇ is T.

In one aspect, the invention provides a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1-7, such as a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in any one of JBT0132, JBT0303, JBT0193, JBT0178, JBT0120, and JBT0224, which inhibits TFPI activity within the blood coagulation cascade. The invention also provides a peptide that binds TFPI comprising an amino acid sequence of at least 60% identity to the sequence Phe-Gln-Ser-Lys-Gly-Asn-Val-Phe-Val-Asp-Gly-Tyr-Phe-Glu-Arg-Leu-Arg-Ala-Lys-Leu (FQSKGNVFVDGYFERLRAKL) (SEQ ID NO: 32).

In addition, the invention provides a peptide that binds TFPI, wherein the peptide comprises the structure of formula (I): X1001-X1002-X1003-X1004-X1005-X1006-X1007-X1008-X1009-X1010-X1011-X1012-X1013-X1014-X1015-X1016-X1017-X1018-X1019-X1020 (SEQ ID NO: 3116). In formula (I),

X1001 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Bhf, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Nmf, Q, R, T, V, W and Y;

X1002 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of G, K and Q;

X1003 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Bhs, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1004 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Bhk, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, k, L, M, N, Nmk, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1005 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of a, A, Aib, Bal, C, D, d, E, F, G, H, K, k, L, M, N, Nmg, p, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1006 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Btq, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S T, V, W and Y;

X1007 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, G, I, K, L, Nmv, P, Q, S, V, W and Y;

X1008 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, H, K, W and Y;

X1009 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, f, I, K, S, T and V;

X1010 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Nmf, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1011 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aib, C, K, G and Nmg;

X1012 is Y;

X1013 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, Q, R, W and Y;

X1014 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Bhe, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1015 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of (omega-methyl)-R, D, E, K and R;

X1016 is L;

X1017 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of (omega-methyl)-R, A, Aib, Bhr, C, Cha, Cit, D, Dab, Dap, E, Eag, Eew, F, G, H, Har, Hci, Hle, I, K, L, M, N, Nle, Nva, Opa, Orn, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1018 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Bal, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1019 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Bhk, K, R and V; and

X1020 is either present or absent, whereby, in case X1020 is present, it is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aib, Bhl, C, F, G, H, I, K, L, Nml, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y.

In one aspect, the peptide that binds TFPI comprises the structure of formula (III): X1001-Q-X1003-X1004-X1005-X1006-I/V-X1008-V-X1010-G-Y-C/F-X1014-R-L-X1017-X1018-K-K/L (III) (SEQ ID NO: 3117). In formula (III), X1001, X1003, X1004, X1005, X1006, X1008, X1010, X1014, X1017 and X1018 are each independently selected from any amino acid.

The invention further provides a TFPI-binding peptide comprising the structure of formula (V): X2001-X2002-X2003-X2004-X2005-X2006-[X2007-X2008-X2009-X2010-X2011-X2012-X2013-X2014-X2015-X2016-X2017-X2018]-X2019-X2020-X2021-X2022-X2023 (V) (SEQ ID NO: 3118). In formula (V), X2001, X2002, and X2023 independently are either present or absent. When present, X2001 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, P, R, S, T, V and W; and X2002 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, P, R, S, T, V and W. Additionally,

X2003 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, I, K, L, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X2004 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, R, S, T, V and W;

X2005 is W;

X2006 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, H, I, K, L, R V and W;

X2007 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, Hcy, Dap and K, preferably selected from the group consisting of C and Hcy;

X2008 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, R, S and T;

X2009 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of a, A, I, K, L, M, m, Nle, p, R, and V;

X2010 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, I, K, L, P, R, S, T and V;

X2011 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, E, G, S and T;

X2012 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, a, D, d, E, e, F, f, G, I, K, k, L, l, M, m, Nle, nle, P, p, R, r, S, s, T, t, V, v, W and w;

X2013 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, d, E, e, F, G, I, K, L, R, S, s, T, V and W;

X2014 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, R, S, T, V and W;

X2015 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, Nle, R, S, T, V and W;

X2016 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, I, K, L, M, Nle, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X2017 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X2018 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C and D (preferably X2018 is C);

X2019 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, I, L, S, T, V and W;

X2020 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F and W;

X2021 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of I, L and V; and

X2022 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, P, R, S, T, V, and W.

When X2023 is present in the peptide, X2023 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, R, S, T, V, W and Y. The peptide comprises a cyclic structure generated by a linkage between X2007 and X2018, indicated in Formula (V) by brackets.

The invention also provides a peptide that binds TFPI, wherein the peptide comprises the structure of formula (VI): X2001-X2002-F/Y-K-W-F/H-[C-X2008-M/V-X2010-D-X2012-X2013-G-I/T-X2016-S/T-C]-A/V-W-V-X2022-X2023 (VI) (SEQ ID NO: 3119). In formula (VI), X2001, X2002 and X2023 are each independently present or absent. X2008, X2010, X2012, X2013, X2016 and X2022, as well as X2001, X2002, and X2023 when present, are each independently selected from any amino acid. The peptide comprises a cyclic structure generated by a linkage between X2007 and X2018, indicated in Formula (VI) by brackets.

In one aspect, the invention provides a peptide that binds TFPI, wherein the peptide comprises the structure of formula (VIII): X3001-X3002-X3003-X3004-X3005-X3006-X3007-X3008-X3009-X3010-X3011-X3012-X3013-X3014-X3015-X3016-X3017-X3018-X3019-X3020-X3021 (VIII) (SEQ ID NO: 3120). In formula (VIII), X3001 and X3002 are each independently present or absent. When present, X3001 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, F, G, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, W, E, H and Y; and X3002 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, F, H, K, M, N, P, R, S, T, W, Y, G, I and L. With respect to the remainder of formula (VIII),

X3003 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, W and Y;

X3004 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y and P;

X3005 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X3006 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, W, C, K, P, R and H;

X3007 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Q, A, C, F, G, H, I, K, L, N, R, S, T, W and Y;

X3008 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y and I;

X3009 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, I, L, M, R, S, T, V, W, Y and K;

X3010 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X3011 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y, C, F and H;

X3012 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, H, I, K, L and R;

X3013 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, R, S, V, W, Y and I;

X3014 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, I, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y and K;

X3015 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, K and R;

X3016 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, K and R;

X3017 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, I, K, L, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y, H, A and M;

X3018 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, I, K, L, M, Q, R, V, W and Y;

X3019 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, N, P, Q, R, V, W, Y and I;

X3020 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, Q, R, V, W, Y, I and P; and

X3021 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, T, V, W, Y, F and G.

Additionally, the invention provides a TFPI-binding peptide comprising the structure of formula (IX): X3001-X3002-X3003-X3004-X3005-X3006-X3007-X3008-X3009-X3010-X3011-H-X3013-X3014-K/R-R-X3017-X3018-X3019-X3020-X3021 (IX) (SEQ ID NO: 3121), wherein X3001, X3002, X3003, X3004, X3005, X3006, X3007, X3008, X3009, X3010, X3011, X3013, X3014, X3017, X3018, X3019, X3020 and X3021 are each independently selected from any amino acid. In addition, the invention includes a peptide that binds TFPI, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 60% identity to the sequence of formula (X): Ac-GYASFPWFVQLHVHKRSWEMA-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 223). In the context of the disclosure, any peptide encompassed by any of formulas (I) to (X) and any TFPI-binding peptide described herein is also referred to as “the peptide of the invention” and as “a peptide as described herein.”

In some embodiments, the peptide of the invention binds TFPI-1 (e.g., TFPI-1α) and, optionally, improves TFPI-regulated thrombin generation in the absence of FVIII, FIX, and/or FXI. A composition (e.g., a pharmaceutical composition) comprising the peptide also is provided.

In addition, the invention provides methods of using the peptide of the invention. For example, the invention provides a method of inhibiting a TFPI comprising contacting the TFPI with a peptide as described herein. The invention also provides a method of enhancing thrombin formation in a clotting factor-deficient subject, a method for increasing blood clot formation in a subject, and a method of treating a blood coagulation disorder in a subject. The methods are, in their entirety, also referred to herein as, e.g., “the method of the invention.” The methods comprise administering to the subject a peptide as provided herein in an amount effective to enhance thrombin formation, an amount effective to enhance blood clot formation, or an amount effective to treat the blood coagulation disorder in the subject. Unless explicitly indicated to the contrary, the description provided herein with respect to one peptide of the invention or method of the invention applies to each and every peptide of the invention and method of the invention, respectively. Further aspects of the invention include use of the peptide of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament, a method for targeting a cell displaying TFPI, a method for treating or diagnosing a subject suffering from a disease or at risk of suffering from a disease, and a method of purifying TFPI. The preceding methods are, in their entirety, also referred to herein as, e.g., “the method of the invention.”

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the blood coagulation cascade.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the secondary structure of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-1.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the formation of a quaternary complex comprising Tissue Factor, Factor Xa (FXa), Factor VIIa (FVIIa), and TFPI.

FIG. 4 is a listing of amino acid sequences of various TFPI-inhibitory peptides denoting amino acid substitutions (bolded and underlined) in reference to peptide JBT0293.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of mRNA display selection of TFPI-inhibitor peptides.

FIG. 6A is an illustration of the EC₅₀ binding ELISA and FIG. 6B is an illustration of the IC₅₀ ELISA described in Example 1.

FIG. 7 is a binding ELISA curve comparing % OD (y-axis) and concentration [nM] (x-axis) for biotinylated peptide JBT0132.

FIGS. 8A-8D are competition ELISA curves comparing % OD (y-axis) and concentration [nM] (x-axis) for exemplary peptides of the invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are sensorgrams plotting RU (y-axis) against time in seconds (x-axis) for peptides JBT0120 and JBT0132.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are sensorgrams plotting RU (y-axis) against time in seconds (x-axis) for peptide JBT0120 interaction with Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-1 and Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-2.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are graphs comparing amount of thrombin generated (nM) (y-axis) and time in minutes (x-axis) for peptide JBT0120 and peptide JBT0132 in a plasma-based assay.

FIGS. 12-18 are tables listing the amino acid sequences of various TFPI-inhibitory peptides; EC₅₀ and percent inhibition of TFPI observed in the FXa inhibition assay; EC₅₀ and percent inhibition of TFPI observed in the extrinsic tenase inhibition assay; and FEIBA, Factor VIII (FVIII) Immunate, or Factor IX (FIX) equivalent activities (mU/mL) in plasma-based assays. “*” denotes negative controls.

FIGS. 19-21 are tables listing the results from BIAcore analysis of several TFPI-binding peptides. “*” denotes negative controls.

FIGS. 22-30 are tables listing the amino acid sequences of various TFPI-binding peptides; EC₅₀ and percent inhibition of TFPI observed in the FXa inhibition assay; EC₅₀ and percent inhibition of TFPI observed in the extrinsic tenase inhibition assay; and FEIBA, FVIII Immunate, or FIX equivalent activities (mU/mL) in plasma-based assays. “*” denotes negative controls.

FIG. 31 is a graph comparing a pharmacokinetic characteristic (concentration of peptide (y-axis) versus time after administration (x-axis)) of a PEGylated TFPI-binding peptide to the pharmacokinetic characteristic of same peptide lacking PEG. The peptides were administered intravenously to C57Bl6 mice at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Three biological samples were analyzed for the presence of peptide at each time point.

FIGS. 32-39 are tables listing the amino acid sequences and IC₅₀ or EC₅₀ values of various peptides of the invention. “*” denotes negative controls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides peptides that block the inhibitory activity of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-1 (herein referred to as TFPI) within the blood coagulation cascade. Upon vascular injury, Tissue Factor (TF) complexes with Factor VIIa to form the “extrinsic complex” or “extrinsic tenase complex,” which activates Factors IX and X (FIG. 1). TFPI is the main natural regulator of TF/FVIIa extrinsic complex activity and by extension, plays a role in controlling thrombin generation (Panteleev et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 249, 2016-2031 (2002)). TFPI is a 43 kDa serine protease inhibitor comprising three Kunitz-type inhibitory domains (FIG. 2). Kunitz domain 1 of TFPI binds FVIIa and Kunitz domain 2 binds FXa, enabling the inhibitor to form a quaternary FXa-TFPI-FVIIa-TF complex that blocks activity of the TF/FVIIa extrinsic complex (FIG. 3). TFPI binding of FXa also downregulates the common pathway of the coagulation cascade, during which FXa converts prothrombin to thrombin (Audu et al., Anesth. Analg., 103(4), 841-845 (2006)). The invention provides, e.g., TFPI-inhibitory peptides that block TFPI's inhibitory action on the blood coagulation cascade, thereby enhancing thrombin formation.

The amino acid sequences of several TFPI-binding peptides are provided herein. Conventional amino acids are identified according to their standard, one-letter or three-letter codes, as set forth in Table 1.

TABLE 1 3-letter 1-letter codes code Amino acids Ala A Alanine Cys C Cysteine Asp D Aspartic acid Glu E Glutamic acid Phe F Phenylalanine Gly G Glycine His H Histidine Ile I Isoleucine Lys K Lysine Leu L Leucine Met M Methionine Asn N Asparagine Pro P Proline Gln Q Glutamine Arg R Arginine Ser S Serine Thr T Threonine Val V Valine Trp W Tryptophan Tyr Y Tyrosine

Non-conventional amino acids and additional peptide building blocks are identified according to a three-letter code (with the exception of Ttds, which is a common four-letter abbreviation) found in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Name Abbreviation Structure 2-aminobutyric acid Abu

2-Amino-isobutyric acid Aib

β-Alanine Bal

β-Homoglutamatic acid Bhe

β-Homophenylalanine Bhf

β-Homolysine Bhk

β-Homoleucine Bhl

β-Homoasparagine Bhn

β-Homoglutamine Bhq

β-Homoarginine Bhr

β-Homoserine Bhs

β-Homotyrosine Bhy

β-Homoaspartic acid Bhd

β-Homovaline Bhv, Btl

β-Homoasparagin Bhn, Btq

(S)-Cyclohexylalanine Cha

(S)-Citrullin Cit

(S)-2,4-Diaminobutyric acid Dab

(S)-Diaminopropionic acid Dap

(S)-2-Propargylglycine Eag

(S)-N(omega)-nitro-arginine Eew

L-homophenylalanine Hfe

(S)-Homo-arginine Har

(S)-Homo-citrulline Hci

(S)-Homo-cysteine Hcy

(S)-2-Amino-5-methyl-hexanoic acid Hle

(S)-Homo-lysine Hly

(S)-Norleucine Nle

(S)-N-Methylalanine Nma

(S)-N-Methyl-Aspartic acid Nmd

(S)-N-Methyl-glutamic acid Nme

(S)-N-Methyl-phenylalanine Nmf

N-Methyl-glycine Nmg

(S)-N-Methyl-lysine Nmk

(S)-N-Methyl-leucine Nml

(S)-N-Methyl-arginine Nmr

(S)-N-Methyl-serine Nms

(S)-N-Methyl-valine Nmv

(S)-N-Methyl-tyrosine Nmy

(S)-2-Amino-pentanoic acid Nva

(S)-2-Pyridyl-alanine Opa

(S)-Ornithine Orn

L-phenylglycin Phg

4-Phenyl-butyric acid PhPrCO

Polyethylene glycol PEG Selenomethionine Sem

1,2,3,4-L- tetrahydroisoquinolinecarboxylic acid Tic

(13-Amino-4,7,10-trioxa- tridecayl)- succinamic acid Ttds

Carboxyfluorescein FAM

The amino acid sequences of the peptides provided herein are depicted in typical peptide sequence format, as would be understood by the ordinary skilled artisan. For example, the three-letter code or one-letter code of a conventional amino acid, or the three-letter code or abbreviation for a non-conventional amino acid, indicates the presence of the amino acid in a specified position within the peptide sequence. The code for each non-conventional amino acid is connected to the code for the next and/or previous amino acid in the sequence by a hyphen. Adjacent amino acids are connected by a chemical bond (typically an amide bond). The formation of the chemical bond removes a hydroxyl group from the 1-carboxyl group of the amino acid when it is located to the left of the adjacent amino acid (e.g., Hle-adjacent amino acid), and removes a hydrogen from the amino group of the amino acid when it is located on the right of the adjacent amino acid (e.g., adjacent amino acid-Hle). It is understood that both modifications can apply to the same amino acid and apply to adjacent conventional amino acids present in amino acid sequences without hyphens explicitly illustrated. Where an amino acid contains more than one amino and/or carboxy group in the amino acid side chain, the 2- or 3-amino group and/or the 1-carboxy group generally are used for the formation of peptide bonds. For non-conventional amino acids, a 3-letter code was used where the first letter indicates the stereochemistry of the C-α-atom. For example, a capital first letter indicates that the L-form of the amino acid is present in the peptide sequence, while a lower case first letter indicating that the D-form of the correspondent amino acid is present in the peptide sequence. When one-letter code is used, a lower case letter represents a D-amino acid, while an upper case letter represents an L-amino acid. Unless indicated to the contrary, the amino acid sequences are presented herein in N- to C-terminus direction.

The C-termini of several TFPI-binding peptide sequences described herein are explicitly illustrated by inclusion of an OH, NH₂, or an abbreviation for a specific terminating amine linked to the C-terminal amino acid code via a hyphen. The N-termini of several peptides described herein are explicitly illustrated by inclusion of a hydrogen (for a free N-terminus), or an abbreviation for a specific terminating carboxylic acid or other chemical group linked to the N-terminal amino acid code via a hyphen.

The invention provides a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence X₇X₈X₉X₁₀X₁₁X₁₂X₁₃X₁₄X₁₅X₁₆X₁₇X₁₈X₁₉X₂₀X₂₁ (SEQ ID NO: 3109), wherein (using single letter codes for amino acids)

X₇ is selected from the group consisting of L, P, K, S, W, V, N, and Q;

X₈ is selected from the group consisting of L, R, N, F, and I;

X₉ is selected from the group consisting of Y, V, P, and C;

X₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of F, L, and G;

X₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of L, W, V, A, M, T, and S;

X₁₂ is selected from the group consisting of T, F, V, R, A, D, L, E, S, and Y;

X₁₃ is selected from the group consisting of I, M, G, Q, D, and R;

X₁₄ is selected from the group consisting of G, W, Y, L, M, and H;

X₁₅ is selected from the group consisting of N, P, F, H, K, and Y;

X₁₆ is selected from the group consisting of M, D, E, V, G, and K;

X₁₇ is selected from the group consisting of G, I, R, S, T, and L;

X₁₈ is selected from the group consisting of M, K, L, and I;

X₁₉ is selected from the group consisting of Y, G, R, and S;

X₂₀ is selected from the group consisting of A, E, S, C, and Y; and

X₂₁ is selected from the group consisting of A, V, K, and E.

In addition to the core structure set forth above, X₇-X₂₁, other structures that are specifically contemplated are those in which one or more additional amino acids are attached to the core structure (e.g., linked to the N-terminus or the C-terminus of the amino acid sequence X₇-X₂₁). Thus, the invention includes peptides comprising the core structure and further comprising one or more N-terminal amino acid(s) comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

X₆, X₅X₆, X₄X₅X₆, X₃X₄X₅X₆ (SEQ ID NO: 3110), X₂X₃X₄X₅X₆ (SEQ ID NO: 3111), and X₁X₂X₃X₄X₅X₆ (SEQ ID NO: 3112); wherein X₆ is directly linked to X₇ of the core structure amino acid sequence, and

X₁ is selected from the group consisting of T and G;

X₂ is selected from the group consisting of F and V;

X₃ is selected from the group consisting of V, W, Y, and F;

X₄ is selected from the group consisting of D, Q, and S;

X₅ is selected from the group consisting of E, T, N, and S; and

X₆ is selected from the group consisting of R, H, K, and A.

The peptide of the invention in one aspect comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence QSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAK (SEQ ID NO: 1).

In another embodiment, the peptide of the invention comprising the core structure comprises one or more C-terminal amino acid(s) comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of:

X₂₂, X₂₂X₂₃, X₂₂X₂₃X₂₄, X₂₂X₂₃X₂₄X₂₅ (SEQ ID NO: 3113), X₂₂X₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆ (SEQ ID NO: 3114), and X₂₂X₂₃X₂₄X₂₅X₂₆X₂₇ (SEQ ID NO: 3115), wherein X₂₂ is directly linked to X₂₁ of the core structure amino acid sequence, and

X₂₂ is selected from the group consisting of Q, I, E, W, R, L, and N;

X₂₃ is selected from the group consisting of L, V, M, and R;

X₂₄ is selected from the group consisting of K, L, A, and Y;

X₂₅ is F;

X₂₆ is G; and

X₂₇ is T.

In one aspect, the peptide of the invention comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence VIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRY (SEQ ID NO: 4). It is also contemplated that the peptide of the invention comprises additional amino acids at both the N-terminus and the C-terminus of the core structure. In this aspect, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence TFVDERLLYFLTIGNMGMYAAQLKF (SEQ ID NO: 3), GVWQTHPRYFWTMWPDIKGEVIVLFGT (SEQ ID NO: 5), KWFCGMRDMKGTMSCVWVKF (SEQ ID NO: 6), or ASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMA (SEQ ID NO: 7).

The invention further includes peptides comprising the amino acid sequence X₃X₄X₅-F-X₇-NVF-X₁₁X₁₂-GY-X₁₅X₁₆-RLRAK-X₂₂ (SEQ ID NO: 2), wherein X₃ is Y or F; X₄ is Q or S; X₅ is N or S; X₇ is K, N, or Q; X₁₁ is V, A, S, or T; X₁₂ is F, A, D, L, Q, S, or Y; X₁₅ is F, K, or Y; X₁₆ is E or D; and X₂₂ is L or N.

In addition, the invention provides a peptide that binds TFPI, wherein the peptide comprises the structure of formula (I): X1001-X1002-X1003-X1004-X1005-X1006-X1007-X1008-X1009-X1010-X1011-X1012-X1013-X1014-X1015-X1016-X1017-X1018-X1019-X1020 (SEQ ID NO: 3116). In formula (I),

X1001 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Bhf, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Nmf, Q, R, T, V, W and Y;

X1002 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of G, K and Q;

X1003 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Bhs, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1004 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of, A, Aib, Bhk, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, k, L, M, N, Nmk, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1005 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of a, A, Aib, Bal, C, D, d, E, F, G, H, K, k, L, M, N, Nmg, p, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1006 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Btq, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S T, V, W and Y;

X1007 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, G, I, K, L, Nmv, P, Q, S, V, W and Y;

X1008 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, H, K, W and Y;

X1009 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, f, I, K, S, T and V;

X1010 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Nmf, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1011 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aib, C, K, G and Nmg;

X1012 is Y;

X1013 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, Q, R, W and Y;

X1014 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Bhe, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1015 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of (omega-methyl)-R, D, E, K and R;

X1016 is L;

X1017 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of (omega-methyl)-R, A, Aib, Bhr, C, Cha, Cit, D, Dab, Dap, E, Eag, Eew, F, G, H, Har, Hci, Hle, I, K, L, M, N, Nle, Nva, Opa, Orn, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X1018 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Bal, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; and

X1019 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Bhk, K, R and V.

X1020 is either present or absent in formula (I) (i.e., in some instances, the peptide of the invention comprises the structure X1001-X1002-X1003-X1004-X1005-X1006-X1007-X1008-X1010-X1011-X1012-X1013-X1014-X1015-X1016-X1017-X1018-X1019 (SEQ ID NO: 3116)). When X1020 is present, it is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aib, Bhl, C, F, G, H, I, K, L, Nml, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y.

For example, the peptide of the invention comprises the structure of formula (I) wherein X1001 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, F, I, K, L, Nmf, V, M, W and Y; X1002 is Q; X1003 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, H, K, M, I, N, Q, R, S, T and V; X1004 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, D, E, G, H, F, I, K, k, L, M, N, Nmk, P, Q, R, S, V, W and Y; X1005 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of a, A, Aib, Bal, C, d, E, D, F, G, H, K, k, L, M, N, Nmg, p, Q, R, S, T and Y; X1006 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Btq, C, D, G, I, K, H, L, M, N, Q, R, S, V and Y; X1007 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of I, K, L, Q, V and Y; X1008 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, H and Y; X1009 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of f, I and V; X1010 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; X1011 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of G and Nmg; X1012 is Y; X1013 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aib, C, F, H, L, W and Y; X1014 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Bhe, C, D, E, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; X1015 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of E and R; X1016 is L; X1017 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of (omega-methyl)-R, A, Aib, Bhr, C, Cha, Cit, Dab, Dap, Eag, Eew, F, H, Har, Hci, Hle, I, K, L, M, N, Nle, Nva, Opa, Orn, R, S, T, V and Y; X1018 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, V and W; X1019 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of K and R; and X1020 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aib, Bhl, F, K, L, R and W (when X1020 is present in the peptide).

In one aspect, the peptide of the invention comprises the structure of formula (I) wherein X1001 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, L, Y and M; X1002 is Q; X1003 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of M, Q, R, S, T and C; X1004 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aib, K, L, P, R, E, G, I, Y, M and W; X1005 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of a, Aib, D, d, G, H, K, k, N, Nmg, p, Q, R, A, E, C and M; X1006 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, G, H, K, N, Q, R, S and M; X1007 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of I and V; X1008 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, H and Y; X1009 is V; X1010 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, K, M, N, Q, R, F, H, P, S, V, W and Y; X1011 is G; X1012 is Y; X1013 is C or F; X1014 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, K, L, M, N, Q, R, T, V and Aib; X1015 is R; X1016 is L; X1017 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, Cha, Dab, Dap, Eag, Eew, H, Har, Hci, Hle, K, Nle, Nva, Opa, Orn, R, I, L, S and M; X1018 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, L, N, M and R; X1019 is K; and X1020 is K or L.

When amino acid X1020 is absent from formula (I), the peptide of the invention in one aspect further comprises amino acid X1000 at the N-terminus of formula (I), such that the peptide comprises or consists of the structure of formula (II): X1000-X1001-X1002-X1003-X1004-X1005-X1006-X1007-X1008-X1009-X1010-X1011-X1012-X1013-X1014-X1015-X1016-X1017-X1018-X1019 (II) (SEQ ID NO: 3122). When X1000 is present in the peptide, X1000 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, E, and P, while the amino acids of X1001-X1019 are as defined above.

In an additional aspect, the TFPI-binding peptide of the invention comprises the structure of formula (III): X1001-Q-X1003-X1004-X1005-X1006-I/V-X1008-V-X1010-G-Y-C/F-X1014-R-L-X1017-X1018-K-K/L (III) (SEQ ID NO: 3117). X1001, X1003, X1004, X1005, X1006, X1008, X1010, X1014, X1017 and X1018 in formula (III) are each independently selected from any amino acid. For example, in formula (III),

X1001 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Bhf, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Nmf, Q, R, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, F, I, K, L, Nmf, V, M, W and Y (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, L, Y and M);

X1003 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Bhs, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, H, K, M, I, N, Q, R, S, T and V (e.g., the amino acid is M, Q, R, S, T or C);

X1004 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of, A, Aib, Bhk, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, k, L, M, N, Nmk, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, D, E, G, H, F, I, K, k, L, M, N, Nmk, P, Q, R, S, V, W and Y (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aib, K, L, P, R, E, G, I, Y, M and W);

X1005 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of a, A, Aib, Bal, C, D, d, E, F, G, H, K, k, L, M, N, Nmg, p, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of a, A, Aib, Bal, C, d, E, D, F, G, H, K, k, L, M, N, Nmg, p, Q, R, S, T and Y (e.g., the amino acid is a, Aib, D, d, G, H, K, k, N, Nmg, p, Q, R, A, E, C or M);

X1006 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Btq, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Btq, C, D, G, I, K, H, L, M, N, Q, R, S, V and Y (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, G, H, K, N, Q, R, S and M);

X1008 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, H, K, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, H and Y;

X1010 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Nmf, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, K, M, N, Q, R, F, H, P, S, V, W and Y);

X1014 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Bhe, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, Bhe, C, D, E, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y (e.g., A, C, D, E, K, L, M, N, Q, R, T, V or Aib);

X1017 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of (omega-methyl)-R, A, Aib, Bhr, C, Cha, Cit, D, Dab, Dap, E, Eag, Eew, F, G, H, Har, Hci, Hle, I, K, L, M, N, Nle, Nva, Opa, Orn, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of (omega-methyl)-R, A, Aib, Bhr, C, Cha, Cit, Dab, Dap, Eag, Eew, F, H, Har, Hci, Hle, I, K, L, M, N, Nle, Nva, Opa, Orn, R, S, T, V and Y (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, Cha, Dab, Dap, Eag, Eew, H, Har, Hci, Hle, K, Nle, Nva, Opa, Orn, R, I, L, S and M); and/or

X1018 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Bal, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, V and W (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, L, N, M and R).

In some embodiments, the peptide of the invention comprises one or more additional amino acid residues attached to the N- or C-terminus of the amino acid sequence. For example, the peptide comprising the structure of any one of formulas (I)-(III), in some embodiments, further comprises one or more N-terminal amino acid(s) directly linked to X1001, wherein the N-terminal amino acid(s) comprise the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of

X1000, X999-X1000, X998-X999-X1000, (SEQ ID NO: 3123) X997-X998-X999-X1000, (SEQ ID NO: 3124) X996-X997-X998-X999-X1000, (SEQ ID NO: 3125) X995-X996-X997-X998-X999-X1000, (SEQ ID NO: 3126) X994-X995-X996-X997-X998-X999-X1000, (SEQ ID NO: 3127) X993-X994-X995-X996-X997-X998-X999-X1000, (SEQ ID NO: 3128) X992-X993-X994-X995-X996-X997-X998-X999-X1000, (SEQ ID NO: 3129) X991-X992-X993-X994-X995-X996-X997-X998-X999- X1000, and (SEQ ID NO: 3130) X990-X991-X992-X993-X994-X995-X996-X997-X998-X999- X1000. When the peptide comprises one or more N-terminal amino acids, X1000 is A or K; X999 is V or K; X998 is Q or K; X997 is L or K; X996 is R or K; X995 is G or K; X994 is V or K; X993 is G or K; X992 is S or K; X991 is K; and X990 is K.

In addition to the core structures set forth in formulas (I)-(III), other structures that are specifically contemplated are those in which one or more additional amino acids are attached to the C-terminus of the core structure directly linked to X1020. For example, the C-terminal addition optionally comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of X1021, X1021-X1022, X1021-X1022-X1023, and X1021-X1022-X1023-X1024 (SEQ ID NO: 3131), wherein X1021 is T or K; X1022 is S or K; and X1023 and X1024 are K.

The invention further includes a TFPI-binding peptide comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence having at least 60% identity (e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or 100% identity) to the amino acid sequence Ac-FQSK-Nmg-NVFVDGYFERL-Aib-AKL-NH2 (formula IV) (SEQ ID NO: 164). In some instances, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of any one of formulas (I)-(III), as described herein. The invention also includes a peptide comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 8-978 (e.g., a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 8-741 and 962-972 (such as SEQ ID NOs: 8-741, 962-968, 971, or 972) and/or selected from the group consisting of 742-961 (such as SEQ ID NOs: 744-961) and/or selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 973-978).

The peptides of the invention, in some instances, comprise intramolecular disulfide bonds. In this regard, the peptide comprising the structure of formulas (I)-(III) contains at least two cysteine residues (e.g., the peptide contains two cysteine residues) that are spaced apart by at least three amino acid residues such that the cysteines form an intramolecular disulfide bond. In some instances, the cysteines are spaced apart by more than three amino acid residues. For example, in the peptide comprising the structure of formulas (I), (II), or (III), any two of X1000, X1001, X1003, X1004, X1005, X1006, X1010, X1011, X1013, X1014, X1017, X1018, X1020 and X1021 are optionally cysteines capable of forming a disulfide bridge. Accordingly, in some aspects, the peptide contains two cysteine residues: one of X1000, X1005, X1010 and X1014 is cysteine, and one of X1006, X1010, X1017 and X1021 is a cysteine. The invention contemplates all of the possible combinations of cysteine pairs, e.g., X1000 and X1006 are C; X1000 and X1010 are C; X1000 and X1017 are C; X1005 and X1017 are C; X1010 and X1017 are C; X1010 and X1021 are C; or X1014 and X1021 are C.

The invention further provides a peptide that binds TFPI, the peptide comprising the structure of formula (V): X2001-X2002-X2003-X2004-X2005-X2006-[X2007-X2008-X2009-X2010-X2011-X2012-X2013-X2014-X2015-X2016-X2017-X2018]-X2019-X2020-X2021-X2022-X2023 (V) (SEQ ID NO: 3118), wherein the peptide forms a cyclic structure generated by a linkage, e.g., a disulfide bond, between X2007 and X2018 (denoted as brackets within formula (V)). In formula (V), X2001, X2002, and X2023 are independently either present or absent. When present, X2001 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, P, R, S, T, V and W; X2002 an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, P, R, S, T, V and W; and X2023 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, R, S, T, V, W and Y. In addition,

X2003 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, I, K, L, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X2004 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, R, S, T, V and W;

X2005 is W;

X2006 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, H, I, K, L, R, V and W;

X2007 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, Hcy, Dap and K (e.g., C or Hcy);

X2008 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, R, S and T;

X2009 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of a, A, I, K, L, M, m, Nle, p, R, Sem, and V;

X2010 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, I, K, L, P, R, S, T and V;

X2011 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, E, G, S, and T;

X2012 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, a, D, d, E, e, F, f, G, I, K, k, L, l, M, m, Nle, nle, P, p, R, r, S, s, Sem, T, t, V, v, W and w;

X2013 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, d, E, e, F, G, I, K, L, R, S, s, T, V and W;

X2014 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, R, S, T, V and W;

X2015 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, M, Nle, R, S, T, V and W;

X2016 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, I, K, L, M, Nle, R, S, Sem, T, V, W and Y;

X2017 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X2018 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C and D (e.g., X2018 is C);

X2019 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, I, L, S, T, V and W;

X2020 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F and W;

X2021 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of I, L and V; and

X2022 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, P, R, S, T, V, and W.

In some instances, in the peptide of the invention comprising the structure of formula (V),

X2001 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, H, K, L, P and S, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, H, K, L and S (when X2001 is present);

X2002 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, H, K, L, P, R and S, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, H, K, L, M, R and S (e.g., H, F, M or R) (when X2002 is present);

X2003 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, K, L, S and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, S and Y (e.g., F or Y);

X2004 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, K, L and S (e.g., K);

X2005 is optionally W;

X2006 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, H, K and L (e.g., F or H);

X2007 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C and HcY (e.g., X2007 is C);

X2008 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G and S;

X2009 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of a, A, K, L, V, M, m, Nle, Sem, and p, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of M, Nle, p and V (e.g., M, Sem, or V);

X2010 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, K, L, P, R and S, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, K, L, P, R and S (e.g., K, P, or R);

X2011 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, G and S (e.g., D or S);

X2012 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, a, D, d, F, f, G, K, k, L, l, M, m, Nle, P, S and s, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, d, F, f, G, K, k, L, l, M, Nle, P, S, and Sem (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, L, l, Sem, and M);

X2013 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, d, F, G, K, L, S and s, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, K, L and S (e.g., D, G, K, or S);

X2014 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, F, G, K, L and S (e.g., D or G);

X2015 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, I, K, L, M, Nle, S and T (e.g., I or T);

X2016 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, F, K, L, M, Nle, S, and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, F, K, L, M, Nle, S, Sem, and Y (e.g., D, F, M, Sem, or Y);

X2017 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, K, L, S, T and Y (e.g., S or T);

X2018 is optionally C;

X2019 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, L, S and V (e.g., A or V);

X2020 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F and W (e.g., W);

X2021 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of L and V (e.g., V);

X2022 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, K, L, P, R, S and W, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, G, K, L, P, R, S and W (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, L, K, R, P and W); and

X2023 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, K, L, M, S and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, L M, S and Y (e.g., an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, M, S and Y) (when X2023 is present).

The invention further includes a peptide that binds TFPI, wherein the peptide comprises the structure of formula (VI): X2001-X2002-F/Y-K-W-F/H-[C-X2008-M/V-X2010-D-X2012-X2013-G-I/T-X2016-S/T-C]-A/V-W-V-X2022-X2023 (VI) (SEQ ID NO: 3119). In the peptide comprising the structure of formula (VI), X2001, X2002 and X2023 are each independently present or absent. If X2001, X2002, and/or X2023 are present, any of X2001, X2002 and X2023 is independently selected from any amino acid. In addition, X2008, X2010, X2012, X2013, X2016, and X2022 are each independently selected from any amino acid.

In some aspects, in the peptide of formula (VI),

X2001 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, P, R, S, T, V and W, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, H, K, L, P and S (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, H, K, L and S) (when X2001 is present);

X2002 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, P, R, S, T, V and W, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, H, K, L, M, P, R and S (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, H, K, L, M, R and S, such as H, F, M, or R) (when X2002 is present);

X2008 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, R, S and T, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G and S;

X2010 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, I, K, L, P, R, S, T and V, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, K, L, P, R and S (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, K, L, P, R and S, such as K, P or R);

X2012 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, a, D, d, E, e, F, f, G, I, I, K, k, L, l, M, m, Nle, nle, P, p, R, r, S, s, Sem, T, t, V, v, W and w, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, a, D, d, F, f, G, K, k, L, l, M, m, Nle, P, S, s, and Sem (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, d, F, f, G, K, k, L, l, M, Nle, P, S, and Sem, such as F, L, l, Sem, or M);

X2013 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, d, E, e, F, G, I, K, L, R, S, s, T, V and W, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, d, F, G, K, L, S and s (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, K, L and S, such as D, G, K or S);

X2016 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, I, K, L, M, Nle, R, S, Sem, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, F, K, L, M, Nle, S Sem, and Y (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of D, F, K, L, M, Nle, S, Sem, such as F, Sem, or M);

X2022 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, P, R, S, T, V, and W, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, K, L, P, R, S and W (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, G, K, L, P, R, S and W, such as F, L, K, R, P or W); and/or

X2023 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, E, F, G, I, K, L, R, M, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, K, L, M, S and Y (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, D, F, G, L M, S and Y, such as A, D, F, M, S or Y) (when X2023 is present).

The TFPI-binding peptide of the invention, in one aspect, comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 60% identity (e.g., at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or 100% identity) to the sequence of formula VII: Ac-FYYKWH[CGMRDMKGTMSC]AWVKF-NH2 (VII) (SEQ ID NO: 1040). Optionally, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of formula (V)-(VII) as defined herein. The invention also includes a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1001-1293 (e.g., a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1001-1212 and 1290-1291 (such as SEQ ID NOs: 1001-120, 1290, or 1291) and/or selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1213-1289 and/or selected from the group consisting of 1292 and 1293).

The invention further provides a TFPI-binding peptide comprising the structure of formula (VIII): X3001-X3002-X3003-X3004-X3005-X3006-X3007-X3008-X3009-X3010-X3011-X3012-X3013-X3014-X3015-X3016-X3017-X3018-X3019-X3020-X3021 (VIII) (SEQ ID NO: 3120). In formula (VIII), X3001 and X3002 are independently either present or absent in the peptide. If present, X3001 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, F, G, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, W, E, H and Y; and X3002 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, F, H, K, M, N, P, R, S, T, W, Y, G, I and L. In addition,

X3003 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, W and Y;

X3004 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y and P;

X3005 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X3006 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, W, C, K, P, R and H;

X3007 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Q, A, C, F, G, H, I, K, L, N, R, S, T, W and Y;

X3008 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y and I;

X3009 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, I, L, M, R, S, T, V, W, Y and K;

X3010 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y;

X3011 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y, C, F and H;

X3012 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, H, I, K, L and R;

X3013 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, R, S, V, W, Y and I;

X3014 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, I, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y and K;

X3015 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, K and R;

X3016 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, K and R;

X3017 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, I, K, L, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y, H, A and M;

X3018 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, I, K, L, M, Q, R, V, W and Y;

X3019 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, N, P, Q, R, V, W, Y and I;

X3020 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, Q, R, V, W, Y, I and P; and

X3021 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, T, V, W, Y, F and G.

In some aspects of the invention, the peptide comprises the sequence of formula (VIII), wherein

X3001 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, G, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, W, E, H and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, G, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, E, H and Y (when X3001 is present);

X3002 is optionally an amino selected from the group consisting of C, F, H, K, R, S, W, Y, G, I and L, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, K, R, W, Y, G, I and L (when X3002 is present);

X3003 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T and W, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, G, H, I, K, L, M, R, S, T and W;

X3004 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, V and P, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, R, S, T and P;

X3005 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, F, H, I, K, M, R, T, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, F, H, K, R and W;

X3006 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of P, H and A;

X3007 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, G, R, W, A and L, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of L, C, R and W;

X3008 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, Q, R, T, V, W, Y and I, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, H, K, R, V, W, Y and I;

X3009 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, I, R, V and K, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, R, V and K;

X3010 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, G, H, I, K, L, M, Q, R, S and T, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, K, L, Q, R and S;

X3011 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, I, K, L, M, R, S, V, W, C, F and H, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of I, K, L, M, R, V, W, C, F and H;

X3012 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of H and R (e.g., H);

X3013 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, F, K, L, M, R, V and I, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, K, R, V and I;

X3014 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, M, C, F, H, I, L, N, R, S, V, W and K, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, S, C, F, H, I, R and K;

X3015 is optionally K or R;

X3016 is optionally K or R;

X3017 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, I, K, L, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, H, A and M, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, G, I, K, L, N, Q, R, S, T, V, H, A and M;

X3018 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, K, C, I, L, R and W (e.g., K, C, I, R, or W);

X3019 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, E, H, K, N, Q, R and I, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, E, H, K, R and I;

X3020 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, H, L, M, R, V, I and P (e.g., C, M, I, or P); and

X3021 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, V, W, Y, F and G, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, V, W, F and G.

The invention further provides a peptide that binds TFPI and comprises the structure of formula (IX): X3001-X3002-X3003-X3004-X3005-X3006-X3007-X3008-X3009-X3010-X3011-H-X3013-X3014-K/R-R-X3017-X3018-X3019-X3020-X3021 (IX) (SEQ ID NO: 3121). In formula (IX), X3001 and X3002 are independently either present or absent in the peptide. If present, X3001 and/or X3002 are independently selected from any amino acid. Likewise, X3003, X3004, X3005, X3006, X3007, X3008, X3009, X3010, X3011, X3013, X3014, X3017, X3018, X3019, X3020 and X3021 are each independently selected from any amino acid. When present, X3001 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, F, G, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, W, E, H and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, G, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, W, E, H and Y (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, G, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, E, H and Y) Likewise, when present, X3002 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, F, H, K, M, N, P, R, S, T, W, Y, G, I and L, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, F, H, K, R, S, W, Y, G, I and L (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, K, R, W, Y, G, I and L). Also with respect to formula (IX),

X3003 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, W, and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T and W (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, G, H, I, K, L, M, R, S, T and W);

X3004 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y and P, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, V and P (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, R, S, T and P);

X3005 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, F, H, I, K, M, R, T, W and Y (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, F, H, K, R and W);

X3006 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, W, C, K, P, R and H, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of P, H and A;

X3007 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Q, A, C, F, G, H, I, K, L, N, R, S, T, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, G, R, W, A and L (e.g., L, C, R or W);

X3008 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y and I, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, Q, R, T, V, W, Y and I (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, H, K, R, V, W, Y and I);

X3009 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, I, L, M, R, S, T, V, W, Y and K, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, I, R, V and K (e.g., C, R, V or K);

X3010 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, G, H, I, K, L, M, Q, R, S and T (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, K, L, Q, R and S);

X3011 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, G, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y, C, F and H, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, I, K, L, M, R, S, V, W, C, F and H (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of I, K, L, M, R, V, W, C, F and H);

X3013 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, R, S, V, W, Y and I, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, F, K, L, M, R, V, and I (e.g., C, K, R, V, or I);

X3014 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, I, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y and K, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, M, C, F, H, I, L, N, R, S, V, W and K (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, S, C, F, H, I, R and K);

X3017 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, I, K, L, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, Y, H, A and M, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, I, K, L, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W, H, A and M (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, G, I, K, L, N, Q, R, S, T, V, H, A and M);

X3018 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, I, K, L, M, Q, R, V, W and Y, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, K, C, I, L, R and W (e.g., K, C, I, R, or W);

X3019 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, K, L, N, P, Q, R, V, W, Y and I, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, E, H, K, N, Q, R and I (e.g., C, E, H, K, R, or I);

X3020 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, Q, R, V, W, Y, I and P, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of C, H, L, M, R, V, I and P (e.g., C, M, I, or P); and/or

X3021 is optionally an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, T, V, W, Y, F and G, such as an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, V, W, Y, F and G (e.g., an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, C, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, V, W, F and G).

The TFPI-binding peptide of the invention comprises, in some aspects, an amino acid sequence having at least 60% identity (e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or 100% identity) to the sequence of formula (X): Ac-GYASFPWFVQLHVHKRSWEMA-NH2 (X) (SEQ ID NO: 223). Optionally, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of formula (VIII)-(IX) as defined herein. As used herein, “at least 60% identity” and similar terms encompass any integer from, e.g., 60%, to 100%, such as 60%, 61%, 62%, and the like. Also, the term “at least [percentage] identity” encompasses any percentage that is greater than or equal to the number of identical amino acids divided by the total number of amino acids of the peptide of the invention ([at least percentage identity]≧[number of identical amino acids]/[total number of amino acids of the peptide of the invention]).

The invention also includes a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2001-2498 (e.g., a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2001-2296 and 2498 (such as SEQ ID NOs: 2001-2126, 2128-2296, or 2498) and/or selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2297-2497 (such as SEQ ID NOs: 2298-2497)). The invention further provides a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3001-3108 (e.g., a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3001-3064 (such as SEQ ID NOs: 3001-3048, 3051-3053, 3055, or 3057-3064) and/or selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3065-3084 (such as SEQ ID NOs: 3066-3084) and/or selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3085-3108).

The peptide of SEQ ID NOs: 1-7 also, in some aspects, comprises one or more amino acids attached at the N- or C-terminus of SEQ ID NOs: 1-7. For example, the invention includes a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of JBT0047, JBT0051, JBT0055, JBT0131, JBT0132, JBT0133, JBT0155, JBT0158, JBT0162, JBT0163, JBT0164, JBT0166, JBT0169, JBT0170, JBT0171, JBT0174, JBT0175, or JBT0293, all of which comprise the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Exemplary peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 include peptides comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of JBT0294, JBT0295, JBT0296, JBT0297, JBT0298, JBT0299, JBT0300, JBT0301, JBT0302, JBT0303, JBT0304, JBT0305, JBT0306, JBT0307, JBT0308, JBT0309, JBT0310, or JBT0311. Exemplary peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 comprise or consist of the amino acid sequence of JBT0049, JBT0053, JBT0057, JBT0190, JBT0193, or JBT0197. The invention further includes a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of JBT0050, JBT0054, JBT0058, JBT0129, JBT0130, JBT0205, JBT0208, JBT0211, JBT0212, JBT0217, JBT0218, or JBT0219, all of which include the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. Exemplary peptides comprising SEQ ID NO: 5 include those comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of JBT0101, JBT0052, JBT0103, JBT0178, or JBT0182. The invention additionally includes a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of JBT0120, JBT0124, JBT0247, JBT0248, JBT0251, or JBT0252, each of which include the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6. A peptide including the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, e.g., a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of JBT0122, JBT0126. JBT0221, JBT0224, JBT0225, JBT0226, JBT0228, JBT0232, or JBT0233, also provided by the invention. The peptides described herein are set forth in Table 5 of Example 1 and in FIGS. 12-18.

In certain embodiments, the peptide of the invention comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of JBT0047, JBT0049, JBT0101, JBT0120, or JBT0122 or any of the inventive peptides described herein (e.g., a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3108, such as a peptide comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8-741, 744-968, 971-978, 1001-1210, 1213-1289, 1290-1293, 2001-2126, 2128-2296, 2298-2498, 3001-3048, 3051-3053, 3055, 3057-3064, and 3067-3108), or a variant of any of the foregoing. By “variant” is meant a peptide comprising one or more amino acid substitutions, amino acid deletions, or amino acid additions to a parent amino acid sequence. Variants include, but are not limited to, peptides having an amino acid sequence that is at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to any of the amino acid sequences provided herein while retaining the ability to bind TFPI and/or inhibit TFPI activity. In one embodiment, the peptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of JBT0132, JBT0303, JBT0193, JBT0178, JBT0120, or JBT0224.

In one aspect, the peptide of the invention consists of 40 amino acids or less, such as 35 amino acids or less. Optionally, the peptide of the invention consists of 25 amino acids or less, or 10 amino acids or less. In various embodiments, the peptide comprises 15-35 amino acid residues (e.g., 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 amino acid residues). However, it is also contemplated that a peptide described herein comprising one or more deletions is suitable in the context of the invention so long as the peptide blocks TFPI inhibition of the coagulation cascade and, optionally, binds TFPI. In one aspect, the peptide comprising one or more deletions is suitable in the context of the invention so long as the peptide binds TFPI and, optionally, blocks TFPI inhibition of the coagulation cascade. In some aspects, amino acids are removed from within the amino acid sequence, at the N-terminus, and/or at the C-terminus. Such peptide fragments can comprise 3-14 amino acid residues (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 amino acid residues).

Optionally, the peptide of the invention comprises one or more amino acid substitutions (with reference to any of the amino acid sequences provided herein) that do not destroy the ability of the peptide to bind and/or inhibit TFPI. For instance, peptides comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of JBT0294, JBT0295, JBT0296, JBT0297, JBT0298, JBT0299, JBT0300, JBT0301, JBT0302, JBT0303, JBT0304, JBT0305, JBT0306, JBT0307, JBT0308, JBT0309, JBT0310, or JBT0311 are substitutional mutants of the amino acid sequence of JBT0293 (the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 directly linked to a phenylalanine residue at the N-terminus and a lysine reside at the C-terminus) (see FIG. 4). Amino acid substitutions include, but are not limited to, those which: (1) reduce susceptibility to proteolysis, (2) reduce susceptibility to oxidation, (3) alter binding affinities, and/or (4) confer or modify other physiochemical or functional properties on a peptide. In one aspect, the substitution is a conservative substitution, wherein an amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined within the art, and include amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, and histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid and glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, and tryptophan), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, and isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and histidine). It will be appreciated, however, that a practitioner is not limited to creating conservative substitutions so long as the resulting peptide retains the ability to downregulate, in whole or in part, TFPI activity. The invention also embraces TFPI-inhibitory peptides comprising atypical, non-naturally occurring amino acids, which are well known in the art. Exemplary non-naturally occurring amino acids include ornithine, citrulline, hydroxyproline, homoserine, phenylglycine, taurine, iodotyrosine, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, α-amino isobutyric acid, 4-aminobutyric acid, 2-amino butyric acid, y-amino butyric acid, 2-amino isobutyric acid, 3-amino propionic acid, norleucine, norvaline, sarcosine, homocitrulline, cysteic acid, t-butylglycine, t-butylalanine, phenylglycine, cyclohexylalanine, β-alanine, a fluoro-amino acid, a 3-methyl amino acid, α-C-methyl amino acid, a N-methyl amino acid, 2-amino-isobutyric acid, β-homoglutamatic acid, β-homophenylalanine, β-homolysine, β-homoleucine, β-homoasparagine, β-homoglutamine, β-homoarginine, β-homoserine, β-homotyrosine, β-homoaspartic acid, β-homovaline, β-homoasparagin, (S)-cyclohexylalanine, (S)-citrullin, (S)-2,4-diaminobutyric acid, (S)-2,4-diaminobutyric acid, (S)-diaminopropionic acid, (S)-2-propargylglycine, (S)—N(omega)-nitro-arginine, L-homophenylalanine, S)-homo-arginine, (S)-homo-citrulline, (S)-homo-cysteine, (S)-2-amino-5-methyl-hexanoic acid, (S)-homo-lysine, (S)-norleucine, (S)—N-methylalanine, (S)—N-methyl-aspartic acid, (S)—N-methyl-glutamic acid, (S)—N-methyl-phenylalanine, N-methyl-glycine, (S)—N-methyl-lysine, (S)—N-methyl-leucine, (S)—N-methyl-arginine, (S)—N-methyl-serine, (S)—N-methyl-valine, (S)—N-methyl-tyrosine, (S)-2-amino-pentanoic acid, (S)-2-pyridyl-alanine, (S)-ornithine, L-phenylglycin, 4-phenyl-butyric acid and selenomethionine. The individual amino acids may have either L or D stereochemistry when appropriate, although the L stereochemistry is typically employed for all of the amino acids in the peptide.

The invention further includes TFPI-inhibitory peptide variants comprising one or more amino acids inserted within an amino acid sequence provided herein and/or attached to the N-terminus or C-terminus. In one aspect, the peptide further comprises one or more amino acids that facilitate synthesis, handling, or use of the peptide, including, but not limited to, one or two lysines at the N-terminus and/or C-terminus to increase solubility of the peptide. Suitable fusion proteins include, but are not limited to, proteins comprising a TFPI-inhibitory peptide linked to one or more polypeptides, polypeptide fragments, or amino acids not generally recognized to be part of the protein sequence. In one aspect, a fusion peptide comprises the entire amino acid sequences of two or more peptides or, alternatively, comprises portions (fragments) of two or more peptides. In addition to all or part of the TFPI-inhibitory peptides described herein, a fusion protein optionally includes all or part of any suitable peptide comprising a desired biological activity/function. Indeed, in some aspects, a TFPI-inhibitory peptide is operably linked to, for instance, one or more of the following: a peptide with long circulating half life, a marker protein, a peptide that facilitates purification of the TFPI-inhibitory peptide, a peptide sequence that promotes formation of multimeric proteins, or a fragment of any of the foregoing. In one embodiment, two or more TFPI-inhibitory peptides are fused together, linked by a multimerization domain, or attached via chemical linkage to generate a TFPI-inhibitory peptide complex. The TFPI-inhibitor peptides may be the same or different.

“Derivatives” are included in the invention and include TFPI-inhibitory peptides that have been chemically modified in some manner distinct from addition, deletion, or substitution of amino acids. In this regard, a peptide of the invention provided herein is chemically bonded with polymers, lipids, other organic moieties, and/or inorganic moieties. Examples of peptide and protein modifications are given in Hermanson, Bioconjugate Techniques, Academic Press, (1996). Derivatives are prepared in some situations to increase solubility, stability, absorption, or circulating half-life. Various chemical modifications eliminate or attenuate any undesirable side effect of the agent. In this regard, the invention includes TFPI-inhibitory peptides covalently modified to include one or more water soluble polymer attachments. Useful polymers known in the art include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycol (PEG) (e.g., PEG approximately 40 kD or 1 kD in size), polyoxyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, monomethoxy-polyethylene glycol, dextran, cellulose, poly-(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)-polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol homopolymers, a polypropylene oxide/ethylene oxide co-polymer, polyoxyethylated polyols (e.g., glycerol) and polyvinyl alcohol, as well as mixtures of any of the foregoing. In one aspect, the peptide of the invention is a PEGylated peptide. For further discussion of water soluble polymer attachments, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,640,835; 4,496,689; 4,301,144; 4,670,417; 4,791,192; and 4,179,337. In another aspect, a peptide derivative includes a targeting moiety specific for a particular cell type, tissue, and/or organ. Alternatively, the peptide is linked to one or more chemical moieties that facilitate purification, detection, multimerization, and characterization of peptide activity. An exemplary chemical moiety is biotin. In addition, in one aspect, the peptides of the invention are acylated at the N-terminal amino acid of the peptide. In another aspect, the peptides of the invention are amidated at the C-terminal amino acid of the peptide. In a still further aspect, the peptides of the invention are acylated at the N-terminal amino acid of the peptide and are amidated at the C-terminal amino acid of the peptide.

Derivatives also include peptides comprising modified or non-proteinogenic amino acids or a modified linker group (see, e.g., Grant, Synthetic Peptides: A User's Guide, Oxford University Press (1992)). Modified amino acids include, for example, amino acids wherein the amino and/or carboxyl group is replaced by another group. Non-limiting examples include modified amino acids incorporating thioamides, ureas, thioureas, acylhydrazides, esters, olefines, sulfonamides, phosphoric acid amides, ketones, alcohols, boronic acid amides, benzodiazepines and other aromatic or non-aromatic heterocycles (see Estiarte et al., Burgers Medicinal Chemistry, 6th edition, Volume 1, Part 4, John Wiley & Sons, New York (2002)). Modified amino acids are often connected to the peptide with at least one of the above mentioned functional groups instead of an amide bond. Non-proteinogenic amino acids include, but are not limited, to β-alanine (Bal), norvaline (Nva), norleucine (Nle), 4-aminobutyric acid (γ-Abu), 2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), 6-aminohexanoic acid (ε-Ahx), ornithine (Orn), hydroxyproline (Hyp), taurine, sarcosine, citrulline (Cit), cysteic acid (Coh), cyclohexylalanine (Cha), methioninesulfoxide (Meo), methioninesulfone (Moo), homoserinemethylester (Hsm), propargylglycine (Eag), 5-fluorotryptophan (5Fw), 6-fluorotryptophan (6Fw), 3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl-alanine (Ear), 3′,4′-difluorophenylalanine (Dff), 4′-fluorophenyl-alanine (Pff), 1-naphthyl-alanine (1Ni), 1-methyltryptophan (1Mw), penicillamine (Pen), homoserine (Hse), t-butylglycine, t-butylalanine, phenylglycine (Phg), benzothienylalanine (Bta), L-homo-cysteine (Hcy), N-methyl-phenylalanine (Nmf), 2-thienylalanine (Thi), 3,3-diphenylalanine (Ebw), homophenylalanine (Hfe) and S-benzyl-L-cysteine (Ece). These and other non-proteinogenic amino acids may exist as D- or L-isomers. Examples of modified linkers include, but are not limited to, the flexible linker 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine (Ttds), glycine, 6-aminohexanoic acid, beta-alanine (Bal), and combinations of Ttds, glycine, 6-aminohexanoic acid and Bal.

Homologues of the amino acids constituting the peptides of the invention may be as set forth in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Amino Acid Exemplary homologues A Aib, Bal, Eag, Nma, Abu, G, M, Nva, Nle C S, A, Hcy, M, L, I, V, Nmc, β-Cysteine D E, Homoglutamic acid, γ-Hydroxy-glutamic acid, γ-Carboxy-glutamic acid, Nmd, β-Aspartic acid, N, Q, Cysteic acid E D, Glu, Homoglutamic acid, γ-Hydroxy-glutamic acid, γ-Carboxy-glutamic acid, α-Aminoadipic acid, Nme, β-glutamic acid, Q, N, Cysteic acid F Hfe, Nmf, β-Phenylalanine, Phg, Bhf, Thienylalanine, Benzothienylalanine, Bromophenylalanine, Iodophenylalanione, Chlorophenylalanine, Methylphenylalanine, Nitrophenylalanine, Y, W, Naphtylalanine, Tic G A, Nmg H Nmh, 1-Methylhistidine, 3-Methylhistidine, Thienylalanine I L, V, Hle, Nva, Nle, β-Isoleucine, Nml, M, Nmi K Nmk, R, Nmr, β-Lysine, Dab, Dap, β-(1-Piperazinyl)- alanine, 2,6-Diamino-4-hexynoic acid, delta-Hydroxy-lysine, Har, omega-Hydroxy-norarginine, omega-Amino-arginine, omega-Methyl-arginine, β-(2-Pyridyl)-alanine, β-(3-Pyridyl)- alanine, 3-Amino-tyrosine, 4-Amino-phenylalanine, Hci, Cit L I, V, Hle, Nle, Nva, β-Isoleucine, Nml, M M I, V, Hle, Nva, R, Har, Nmm, Methioninesulfone N Nmn, β-Asparagine, Q, Nmq, β-Glutamine, Cys(3-propionic acid amide)-OH, Cys(O2-3-propionic acid amide)-OH P Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, Hyp, α-Methyl-methionine, 4-Hydroxy-piperidine-2-carboxylic acid, Pip, α-Methyl-Pro Q N, Nmn, Nmq, β-Glutamine, Cys(3-propionic acid amide)-OH, Cys(O2-3-propionic acid amide)-OH R Nmk, K, Nmr, β-Lysine, Dab, Dap, Orn, β-(1-Piperazinyl)- alanine, 2,6-Diamino-4-hexynoic acid, delta-Hydroxy-lysine, Har, omega-Hydroxy-norarginine, omega-Amino-arginine, omega-Methyl-arginine, β-(2-Pyridyl)-alanine, β-(3-Pyridyl)- alanine, 3-Amino-tyrosine, 4-Amino-phenylalanine, Hci, Cit, Hle, L, Nle, M S T, Hse, β-Serine, C, β-Cyano-alanine, allo-Threonine T S, Homothreonine, β-Threonine, allo-Threonine V L, I, Hle, Nva, Nle, β-Valine, Nmv, M, Nmi, Nml W Nmw, β-Tryptophan, F, Hfe, Nmf, β-Phenylalanine, Phg, Bhf, Thienylalanine, Benzothienylalanine, Bromophenylalanine, Iodophenylalanine, Chlorophenylalanine, Methylphenylalanine, Nitrophenylalanine, Y, Naphtylalanine, Tic Y Nmy, β-Tyrosine,, F, Hfe, Nmf, β-Phenylalanine, Phg, Bhf, Thienylalanine, Benzothienylalanine, Bromophenylalanine, Iodophenylalanine, Chlorophenylalanine, Methylphenylalanine, Nitrophenylalanine, W, Naphtylalanine, Tic

In some embodiments, the peptide (CO—NH) linkages joining amino acids within the peptide of the invention are reversed to create a “retro-modified” peptide, i.e., a peptide comprising amino acid residues assembled in the opposite direction (NH—CO bonds) compared to the reference peptide. The retro-modified peptide comprises the same amino acid chirality as the reference peptide. An “inverso-modified” peptide is a peptide of the invention comprising amino acid residues assembled in the same direction as a reference peptide, but the chirality of the amino acids is inverted. Thus, where the reference peptide comprises L-amino acids, the “inverso-modified” peptide comprises D-amino acids, and vice versa. Inverso-modified peptides comprise CO—NH peptide bonds. A “retro-inverso modified” peptide refers to a peptide comprising amino acid residues assembled in the opposite direction and which have inverted chirality. A retro-inverso analogue has reversed termini and reversed direction of peptide bonds (i.e., NH—CO), while approximately maintaining the side chain topology found in the reference peptide. Retro-inverso peptidomimetics are made using standard methods, including the methods described in Meziere et al, J. Immunol., 159, 3230-3237 (1997), incorporated herein by reference. Partial retro-inverso peptides are peptides in which only part of the amino acid sequence is reversed and replaced with enantiomeric amino acid residues.

TFPI-binding peptides of the invention (e.g., TFPI inhibitor peptides) are made in a variety of ways. In one aspect, the peptides are synthesized by solid phase synthesis techniques including those described in Merrifield, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 85, 2149 (1963); Davis et al., Biochem. Intl., 10, 394-414 (1985); Larsen et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 115, 6247 (1993); Smith et al., J. Peptide Protein Res., 44, 183 (1994); O'Donnell et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 118, 6070 (1996); Stewart and Young, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Freeman (1969); Finn et al., The Proteins, 3rd ed., vol. 2, pp. 105-253 (1976); and Erickson et al., The Proteins, 3rd ed., vol. 2, pp. 257-527 (1976). Alternatively, the TFPI-binding peptide (e.g., the TFPI-inhibitory peptide) is expressed recombinantly by introducing a nucleic acid encoding a TFPI-binding peptide (e.g., a TFPI-inhibitory peptide) into host cells, which are cultured to express the peptide. Such peptides are purified from the cell culture using standard protein purification techniques.

The invention also encompasses a nucleic acid comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TFPI-inhibitory peptide of the invention. Methods of preparing DNA and/or RNA molecules are well known in the art. In one aspect, a DNA/RNA molecule encoding a peptide provided herein is generated using chemical synthesis techniques and/or using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). If desired, a TFPI-inhibitory peptide coding sequence is incorporated into an expression vector. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any of a number of expression vectors known in the art are suitable in the context of the invention, such as, but not limited to, plasmids, plasmid-liposome complexes, and viral vectors. Any of these expression vectors are prepared using standard recombinant DNA techniques described in, e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, a Laboratory Manual, 2d edition, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989), and Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Greene Publishing Associates and John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y. (1994). Optionally, the nucleic acid is operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences, such as a promoter, activator, enhancer, cap signal, polyadenylation signal, or other signal involved with the control of transcription or translation.

Any of the TFPI-inhibitory peptides of the invention or nucleic acids encoding the peptides also is provided in a composition (e.g., a pharmaceutical composition). In this regard, the peptide is formulated with a physiologically-acceptable (i.e., pharmacologically-acceptable) carrier, buffer, excipient, or diluent, as described further herein. Optionally, the peptide is in the form of a physiologically acceptable salt, which is encompassed by the invention. “Physiologically acceptable salts” means any salts that are pharmaceutically acceptable. Some examples of appropriate salts include acetate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate, citrate, tartrate, glycolate, and oxalate. If desired, the composition comprises one or more additional pharmaceutically-effective agents.

The peptide provided herein optionally inhibits at least one Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-1 (e.g., TFPI-1α) activity such as, but not limited to, an activity that down-regulates the blood coagulation cascade. Without being bound by any specific mechanism of action, a proposed mechanism of inhibition may involve preventing formation of the quaternary TF-FVIIA-FXA-TFPI complex. The peptide may inhibit binding of TFPI to FXa (e.g., inhibit binding of TFPI Kunitz domain 2 to Factor Xa), the TF/FVIIa complex (e.g., inhibit binding of TFPI Kunitz domain 1 to the TF/FVIIa complex), TF alone, and/or FVIIa alone. With TFPI activity diminished, TF and FVIIa are free to activate FX which, in turn, enhances conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.

In one aspect, the peptide of the invention exhibits TFPI antagonistic activity in model and/or plasmatic systems. An exemplary model system for determining TFPI-inhibitory activity is the extrinsic tenase assay, which tests the ability of candidate peptides to restore extrinsic complex-mediated FX activation in the presence of TFPI (which is a natural inhibitor of the FX activation reaction) (see, e.g., Lindhout et al., Thromb. Haemost., 74, 910-915 (1995)). Another model system for characterizing TFPI-inhibitory activity is the FXa inhibition assay, wherein FXa activity is measured in the presence of TFPI (see Sprecher et al., PNAS, 91, 3353-3357 (1994)). The extrinsic tenase assay and the FXa inhibition assay are further described in Example 3. Optionally, the peptide of the invention enhances FX activation in the presence of TFPI with a half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁴ M, less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁵ M, less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁶ M, or less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁷ M.

In one aspect, TFPI-antagonist activity is characterized in a plasma-based assay. Thrombin formation is triggered in plasma substantially lacking FVIII or FIX activity (e.g., the residual coagulation factor activity is lower than 1%) in the presence of a candidate peptide. Thrombin formation can be detected using a fluorogenic or chromogenic substrate, as described in Example 4. A system for measuring thrombin activity is provided by Thrombinoscope BV (Maastricht, The Netherlands). Prothrombin conversion is measured using, e.g., a Thrombograph™ (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, Mass.), and the resulting data is compiled into a Calibrated Automatic Thrombogram generated by Thrombinoscope™ software available from Thrombinoscope BV. In certain embodiments, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide increases the amount of peak thrombin generated during the assay and/or decreases the time required to achieve peak thrombin formation. For example, the peptide improves TFPI-regulated thrombin generation in the absence of FVIII (e.g., in FVIII-depleted plasma) to at least 1% of the level of TFPI-dependent thrombin generation in normal plasma. Generally, normal (unafflicted) plasma contains about 0.5 U/mL to about 2 U/mL Factor VIII. Accordingly, in some instances, a TFPI-inhibitor peptide will enhance thrombin formation in the absence of FVIII to at least about 1% of that observed in the presence of 0.5 U/mL to 2 U/mL FVIII. In further embodiments, the peptide enhances thrombin formation in the absence of Factor VIII to at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 5%, at least about 7%, or at least about 10% of the level of thrombin formation in normal plasma, i.e., in the presence of physiological levels of Factor VIII. In various aspects, the peptide is administered to an animal model of thrombin deficiency or hemophilia to characterize TFPI inhibitory activity in vivo. Such in vivo models are known in the art and include for example, mice administered anti-FVIII antibodies to induce hemophilia A (Tranholm et al., Blood, 102, 3615-3620 (2003)); coagulation factor knock-out models such as, but not limited to, FVIII knock-out mice (Bi et al., Nat. Genet., 10(1), 119-121 (1995)) and FIX knock-out mice (Wang et al., PNAS, 94(21), 11563-66 (1997)); induced hemophilia-A in rabbits (Shen et al., Blood, 42(4), 509-521 (1973)); and Chapel Hill HA dogs (Lozier et al., PNAS, 99, 12991-12996 (2002)).

While not being bound to any particular theory or mechanism, the peptide of the invention provided herein may inhibit TFPI activity by blocking (competitively or allosterically) binding of TFPI and FXa. Alternatively or in addition, the peptide may inhibit binding of TFPI with a Tissue Factor (TF)/Factor VIIa complex. Thus, in certain aspects, the peptide specifically binds TFPI. Various peptides bind TFPI from any source including, but not limited to, mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, cat, cow, horse, pig, guinea pig, and primate. In one embodiment, the peptide binds human TFPI. Optionally, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide binds TFPI from more than one species (i.e., the peptide is cross-reactive among multiple species). In certain aspects, the peptide binds TFPI with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁴ M, less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁵ M, less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁶ M, or less than or equal to 1×10⁻⁷ M. Affinity may be determined using, for example and without limitation, any one, two, or more of a variety of techniques, such as affinity ELISA assay, a competitive ELISA assay, and/or surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore™) assay. When characterized using a competitive (IC₅₀) ELISA assay, the peptide of the invention optionally demonstrates an IC₅₀ of less than or equal to about 50,000 nM. For example, the peptide demonstrates an IC₅₀ of less than or equal to about 10,000 nM, such as an IC₅₀ of less than or equal to about 5,000 nM, less than or equal to about 1,000 nM, or less than or equal to about 500 nM. In one aspect, the peptide demonstrates an IC₅₀ of less than or equal to about 250 nM, less than or equal to about 100 nM, or less than or equal to about 50 nM. Exemplary peptides and their IC₅₀ values are provided in FIGS. 32-39; in some instances, the peptides are classified into Groups A, B, C, D, E, F, and G (see Table 4 in Example 1) based on their IC₅₀ values. In various aspects, the invention provides peptides falling within Groups A, B, C, D, E, F, and/or G as defined in Table 4. Affinity may also be determined by a kinetic method or an equilibrium/solution method. Such methods are described in further detail herein or known in the art.

As with all binding agents and binding assays, one of skill in the art recognizes that the various moieties to which a binding agent should not detectably bind in order to be biologically (e.g., therapeutically) effective would be exhaustive and impractical to list. Therefore, the term “specifically binds” refers to the ability of a peptide to bind TFPI with greater affinity than it binds to an unrelated control protein that is not TFPI. For example, the peptide may bind to TFPI with an affinity that is at least, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, or 10,000 times greater than the affinity for a control protein. In some embodiments, the peptide binds TFPI with greater affinity than it binds to an “anti-target,” a protein or other naturally occurring substance in humans to which binding of the peptide might lead to adverse effects. Several classes of peptides or proteins are potential anti-targets. Because TFPI-inhibitory peptides exert their activity in the blood stream and/or at the endothelium, plasma proteins represent potential anti-targets. Proteins containing Kunitz domains (KDs) are potential anti-targets because KDs of different proteins share a significant similarity. Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) is highly similar to TFPI-1α and, like TFPI-1α, contains KDs (Sprecher et al., PNAS, 91, 3353-3357 (1994)). Thus, in one aspect, the peptide of the invention binds to TFPI with an affinity that is at least 5, 10, 15, 25, or 50 times greater than the affinity for an anti-target, such as TFPI-2.

The invention further includes a method of inhibiting Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor-1 (TFPI). The method comprises contacting TFPI with a TFPI-binding peptide as described herein. Any degree of TFPI-activity inhibition is contemplated. For example, a TFPI-inhibitory peptide reduces TFPI-inhibition of the extrinsic pathway at least about 5% (e.g., at least about 10%, at least about 25%, or at least about 30%). In some embodiments, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide reduces TFPI activity within the extrinsic pathway at least about 50%, at least about 75%, or at least about 90% compared to TFPI activity in the absence of the peptide.

The invention further includes a method for targeting biological structures (including, but not limited to, cell surfaces and endothelial lining) where TFPI is located. The method comprises contacting the biological structure (e.g., including, without limitation, a cell displaying TFPI on the cell surface) with a TFPI-binding peptide described herein, optionally conjugated to a moiety that adds additional functionality to the peptide. The moiety can be a dye (such as a fluorescence dye), a radionuclide or a radionuclide-containing complex, a protein (e.g., an enzyme, a toxin, or an antibody) or a cytotoxic agent. For example, the peptide is linked or conjugated to an effector moiety that facilitates peptide detection and/or purification and/or comprises therapeutic properties. In one aspect, the TFPI-binding peptide or peptide conjugate is administered to a mammal to target a TFPI-displaying cell within the mammal. Optionally, the method further comprises detecting binding of the TFPI-binding peptide to TFPI. The method is useful for therapy and diagnostic of disease where TFPI is a suitable diagnostic marker or TFPI-expressing cells are a target for a therapeutic approach.

In some aspects, peptide-TFPI binding is detected indirectly. In this regard, the peptide is contacted with an interaction partner that binds the peptide of invention without significantly interfering with peptide-TFPI binding, and the interaction partner is detected. Exemplary interaction partners include, but are not limited to, antibodies, antigen-binding antibody fragments, anticalins and antibody mimetics, aptamers, and spiegelmers. Optionally, the interaction partner comprises a detection moiety to facilitate detection of an interaction partner-peptide complex. Methods of detecting, e.g., antibodies and fragments thereof, are well understood in the art. Similarly, detection moieties are widely used in the art to identify biological substances and include, for example, dye (e.g., fluorescent dye), radionuclides and radionuclide-containing complexes, and enzymes.

Thus, the invention provides a method for diagnosing a subject suffering from a disease or disorder, or at risk of suffering from a disease or disorder, wherein the disease or disorder is associated with or caused by aberrant TFPI activity. The method comprises administering to the subject the TFPI-binding peptide of the invention and detecting the TFPI-peptide complex. In some instances, the peptide of the invention is conjugated to a detectable moiety, and the method comprises detecting the detectable moiety. In other instances, the method comprises administering to the subject a TFPI-binding peptide interaction partner that binds the TFPI-binding peptide, and detecting the interaction partner. If desired, the interaction partner comprises or is conjugated to a detectable moiety, and the detectable moiety is detected. The presence of the detectable moiety indicates the presence of TFPI, thereby allowing diagnosis of a disease or disorder associated with TFPI (e.g., a disease or disorder which (i) can be treated by inhibiting TFPI or (ii) comprises symptoms which can be ameliorated or prevented by inhibiting TFPI). If administration of the peptide to the subject is not desired, a biological sample is obtained from the subject, contacted with the TFPI-binding peptide as described herein, and TFPI-peptide complexes are detected.

The peptides of the invention bind TFPI and, therefore, are useful for purifying TFPI or recombinant TFPI from a biological sample (e.g., a biological fluid, such as serum), fermentation extract, tissue preparations, culture medium, and the like. The invention includes methods of using the TFPI-binding in the commercial production of TFPI or in a method of characterizing TFPI molecules. For example, the invention includes a method of purifying TFPI. The method comprises contacting a sample containing TFPI with a peptide as defined herein under conditions appropriate to form a complex between TFPI and the peptide; removing the complex from the sample; and, optionally, dissociating the complex to release TFPI. Exemplary conditions appropriate to form a complex between TFPI and the peptide are disclosed in the Examples, and such conditions can be easily modified to dissociate the TFPI-peptide complex. In some embodiments, the peptide is immobilized to a support, e.g., a solid support, to facilitate recovery of TFPI. For example, in one embodiment, the peptide is immobilized to chromatography stationary phase (e.g., silica, affinity chromatography beads, or chromatography resins), a sample comprising TFPI is applied to the stationary phase such that TFPI-peptide complexes are formed, the remainder of the sample is removed from the stationary phase, and TFPI is eluted from the stationary phase. In this regard, the peptides of the invention are, in one aspect, suitable for use in affinity chromatography techniques.

A method of enhancing thrombin formation in a clotting factor-deficient subject also is provided. The method comprises administering to the subject a peptide provided herein under conditions effective to inhibit TFPI. In this regard, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide is administered in an amount and under conditions effective to enhance thrombin formation in the subject. By “clotting factor-deficient” is meant that the subject suffers from a deficiency in one or more blood factors required for thrombin formation, such as FVIII, FIX, or FXI. Indeed, in one embodiment, the subject is deficient in FVIII. Alternatively or in addition, the subject is deficient in Factor IX. Clotting factor deficiencies are identified by examining the amount of factor in a clinical sample. Practitioners classify hemophilia according to the magnitude of clotting factor deficiency. Subjects suffering from mild hemophilia have approximately 5% to 30% of the normal amount (1 U/ml) of Factor VIII or Factor IX. Moderate hemophilia is characterized by approximately 1% to 5% of normal Factor VIII, Factor IX, or Factor XI levels, while subjects suffering from severe hemophilia have less than 1% of the normal amount of Factor VIII, Factor IX, or Factor XI. Deficiencies can be identified indirectly by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) testing. APTT testing measures the length of time required for a blood clot to form, which is longer for patients with Factor VIII Deficiency (hemophilia A), Factor IX Deficiency (hemophilia B), and Factor XI Deficiency (hemophilia C) compared to patients with normal clotting factor levels. Almost 100% of patients with severe and moderate Factor VIII deficiency can be diagnosed with an APTT. The invention further includes enhancing thrombin formation in a subject that does not suffer from a clotting factor deficiency. The method comprises administering to a subject (e.g., a subject comprising normal, physiological levels of clotting factor) a peptide provided herein under conditions effective to enhance thrombin formation.

In one aspect, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide is used for increasing blood clot formation in a subject. The method of increasing blood clot formation comprises administering to the subject a peptide described herein in an amount and under conditions effective to increase blood clot formation. It will be appreciated that the method need not completely restore the coagulation cascade to achieve a beneficial (e.g., therapeutic) effect. Any enhancement or increase in thrombin or blood clot formation that reduces the onset or severity of symptoms associated with clotting factor deficiencies is contemplated. Methods of determining the efficacy of the method in promoting thrombin formation and blood clotting are known in the art and described herein.

The invention further includes a method of treating a blood coagulation disorder in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject one or more TFPI-inhibitory peptides, such as any one or more of the peptides described herein, in an amount and under conditions effective to treat the blood coagulation disorder in the subject. In one aspect, the peptide is not a naturally-occurring peptide that inhibits TFPI activity. “Coagulation disorders” include bleeding disorders caused by deficient blood coagulation factor activity and deficient platelet activity. Blood coagulation factors include, but are not limited to, Factor V (FV), FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, FXI, FXIII, FII (responsible for hypoprothrombinemia), and von Willebrand's factor. Factor deficiencies are caused by, for instance, a shortened in vivo-half-life of the factor, altered binding properties of the factor, genetic defects of the factor, and a reduced plasma concentration of the factor. Coagulation disorders can be congenital or acquired. Potential genetic defects include deletions, additions and/or substitution within a nucleotide sequence encoding a clotting factor whose absence, presence, and/or substitution, respectively, has a negative impact on the clotting factor's activity. Coagulation disorders also stem from development of inhibitors or autoimmunity (e.g., antibodies) against clotting factors. In one example, the coagulation disorder is hemophilia A. Alternatively, the coagulation disorder is hemophilia B or hemophilia C.

Platelet disorders are caused by deficient platelet function or abnormally low platelet number in circulation. Low platelet count may be due to, for instance, underproduction, platelet sequestration, or uncontrolled patent destruction. Thrombocytopenia (platelet deficiencies) may be present for various reasons, including chemotherapy and other drug therapy, radiation therapy, surgery, accidental blood loss, and other disease conditions. Exemplary disease conditions that involve thrombocytopenia are: aplastic anemia; idiopathic or immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), including idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with breast cancer; HIV-associated ITP and HIV-related thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; metastatic tumors which result in thrombocytopenia; systemic lupus erythematosus, including neonatal lupus syndrome splenomegaly; Fanconi's syndrome; vitamin B12 deficiency; folic acid deficiency; May-Hegglin anomaly; Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome; chronic liver disease; myelodysplastic syndrome associated with thrombocytopenia; paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria; acute profound thrombocytopenia following C7E3 Fab (Abciximab) therapy; alloimmune thrombocytopenia, including maternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia; thrombocytopenia associated with antiphospholipid antibodies and thrombosis; autoimmune thrombocytopenia; drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia, including carboplatin-induced thrombocytopenia and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia; fetal thrombocytopenia; gestational thrombocytopenia; Hughes' syndrome; lupoid thrombocytopenia; accidental and/or massive blood loss; myeloproliferative disorders; thrombocytopenia in patients with malignancies; thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura, including thrombotic microangiopathy manifesting as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome in cancer patients; post-transfusion purpura (PTP); autoimmune hemolytic anemia; occult jejunal diverticulum perforation; pure red cell aplasia; autoimmune thrombocytopenia; nephropathia epidemica; rifampicin-associated acute renal failure; Paris-Trousseau thrombocytopenia; neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia; paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria; hematologic changes in stomach cancer; hemolytic uremic syndromes (e.g., uremic conditions in childhood); and hematologic manifestations related to viral infection including hepatitis A virus and CMV-associated thrombocytopenia. Platelet disorders also include, but are not limited to, Von Willebrand Disease, paraneoplastic platelet dysfunction, Glanzman's thrombasthenia, and Bernard-Soulier disease. Additional bleeding disorders amenable to treatment with a TFPI-inhibitory peptide include, but are not limited to, hemorrhagic conditions induced by trauma; a deficiency in one or more contact factors, such as FXI, FXII, prekallikrein, and high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK); vitamin K deficiency; a fibrinogen disorder, including afibrinogenemia, hypofibrinogenemia, and dysfibrinogenemia; and alpha2-antiplasmin deficiency. In one embodiment, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide is used to treat excessive bleeding, such as excessive bleeding caused by surgery, trauma, intracerebral hemorrhage, liver disease, renal disease, thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction, hematomas, internal hemorrhage, hemarthroses, hypothermia, menstruation, pregnancy, and Dengue hemorrhagic fever. All of the above are considered “blood coagulation disorders” in the context of the disclosure.

In one aspect, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide of the invention is used to reverse the effects (in whole or in part) of one or more anticoagulants in a subject. Numerous anticoagulants are known in the art and include, for instance, heparin; coumarin derivatives, such as warfarin or dicumarol; TFPI; AT III; lupus anticoagulant; nematode anticoagulant peptide (NAPc2); FVIIa inhibitors; active-site blocked FVIIa (FVIIai); active-site blocked FIXa (FIXai); FIXa inhibitors; FXa inhibitors, including fondaparinux, idraparinux, DX-9065a, and razaxaban (DPC906); active-site blocked FXa (FXai); inhibitors of FVa or FVIIIa, including activated protein C (APC) and soluble thrombomodulin; thrombin inhibitors, including hirudin, bivalirudin, argatroban, and ximelagatran; and antibodies or antibody fragments that bind a clotting factor (e.g., FV, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, FXIII, FII, FXI, FXII, von Willebrand factor, prekallikrein, or high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK)).

As used herein, “treating” and “treatment” refers to any reduction in the severity and/or onset of symptoms associated with a blood coagulation disorder. Accordingly, “treating” and “treatment” includes therapeutic and prophylactic measures. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any degree of protection from, or amelioration of, a blood coagulation disorder or symptom associated therewith is beneficial to a subject, such as a human patient. The quality of life of a patient is improved by reducing to any degree the severity of symptoms in a subject and/or delaying the appearance of symptoms. Accordingly, the method in one aspect is performed as soon as possible after it has been determined that a subject is at risk for developing a blood coagulation disorder (e.g., a deficiency in a clotting factor (e.g., FVIII, FIX, or FXI) is detected) or as soon as possible after a blood coagulation disorder (e.g., hemophilia A, hemophilia B, or hemophilia C) is detected. In an additional aspect, the peptide is administered to protect, in whole or in part, against excessive blood loss during injury or surgery.

In view of the above, the invention provides a peptide for use in a method for the treatment of a subject, such as a method for the treatment of a disease where the inhibition of TFPI is beneficial. In one aspect, the disease or disorder is a blood coagulation disorder. The subject is suffering from a disease or disorder or is at risk from suffering from a disease or disorder (or adverse biological event, such as excessive blood loss). The method comprises administering to the subject the peptide of the invention in an amount and under conditions effective to treat or prevent, in whole or in part, the disease or disorder. The invention further provides a peptide for use in the manufacture of a medicament. For example, the peptide can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a blood coagulation disorder, as described in detail herein.

In some embodiments, it is advantageous to administer to a subject a nucleic acid comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TFPI-binding peptide (e.g., TFPI-inhibitory peptide) of the invention. Such a nucleic acid, in one aspect, is provided instead of, or in addition to, a TFPI-inhibitory peptide. Expression vectors, nucleic acid regulatory sequences, administration methods, and the like, are further described herein and in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20030045498.

A particular administration regimen for a particular subject will depend, in part, upon the TFPI-inhibitory peptide of the invention used, the amount of TFPI-binding peptide (e.g., TFPI-inhibitory peptide) administered, the route of administration, the particular ailment being treated, considerations relevant to the recipient, and the cause and extent of any side effects. The amount of peptide administered to a subject (e.g., a mammal, such as a human) and the conditions of administration (e.g., timing of administration, route of administration, dosage regimen) are sufficient to effect the desired biological response over a reasonable time frame. Dosage typically depends upon a variety of factors, including the particular TFPI-inhibitory peptide employed, the age and body weight of the subject, as well as the existence and severity of any disease or disorder in the subject. The size of the dose also will be determined by the route, timing, and frequency of administration. Accordingly, the clinician may titer the dosage and modify the route of administration to obtain the optimal therapeutic effect, and conventional range-finding techniques are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Purely by way of illustration, in one aspect, the method comprises administering, e.g., from about 0.1 μg/kg to about 100 mg/kg or more, depending on the factors mentioned above. In other embodiments, the dosage may range from 1 μg/kg up to about 75 mg/kg; or 5 μg/kg up to about 50 mg/kg; or 10 μg/kg up to about 20 mg/kg. In certain embodiments, the dose comprises about 0.5 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg (e.g., about 1 mg/kg, 1.5 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg, 2.3 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, 3.5 mg/kg, 4 mg/kg, 4.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 5.5 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, 6.5 mg/kg, 7 mg/kg, 8 mg/kg, 9 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg) of peptide. Given the chronic nature of many blood coagulation disorders, it is envisioned that a subject will receive the TFPI-inhibitory peptide over a treatment course lasting weeks, months, or years, and may require one or more doses daily or weekly. In other embodiments, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide is administered to treat an acute condition (e.g., bleeding caused by surgery or trauma, or factor inhibitor/autoimmune episodes in subjects receiving coagulation replacement therapy) for a relatively short treatment period, e.g., one to 14 days.

Suitable methods of administering a physiologically-acceptable composition, such as a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide described herein, are well known in the art. Although more than one route can be used to administer a peptide, a particular route can provide a more immediate and more effective reaction than another route. Depending on the circumstances, a pharmaceutical composition is applied or instilled into body cavities, absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes, ingested, inhaled, and/or introduced into circulation. In one aspect, a composition comprising a TFPI-inhibitory peptide is administered intravenously, intraarterially, or intraperitoneally to introduce the peptide of the invention into circulation. Non-intravenous administration also is appropriate, particularly with respect to low molecular weight therapeutics. In certain circumstances, it is desirable to deliver a pharmaceutical composition comprising the TFPI-inhibitory peptide orally, topically, sublingually, vaginally, rectally; through injection by intracerebral (intra-parenchymal), intracerebroventricular, intramuscular, intra-ocular, intraportal, intralesional, intramedullary, intrathecal, intraventricular, transdermal, subcutaneous, intranasal, urethral, or enteral means; by sustained release systems; or by implantation devices. If desired, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide is administered regionally via intraarterial or intravenous administration feeding a region of interest, e.g., via the femoral artery for delivery to the leg. In one embodiment, the peptide is incorporated into a microparticle as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,439,686 and 5,498,421, and U.S. Patent Publications 2003/0059474, 2003/0064033, 2004/0043077, 2005/0048127, 2005/0170005, 2005/0142205, 2005/142201, 2005/0233945, 2005/0147689. 2005/0142206, 2006/0024379, 2006/0260777, 2007/0207210, 2007/0092452, 2007/0281031, and 2008/0026068. Alternatively, the composition is administered via implantation of a membrane, sponge, or another appropriate material on to which the desired molecule has been absorbed or encapsulated. Where an implantation device is used, the device in one aspect is implanted into any suitable tissue, and delivery of the desired molecule is in various aspects via diffusion, timed-release bolus, or continuous administration. In other aspects, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide is administered directly to exposed tissue during surgical procedures or treatment of injury, or is administered via transfusion of blood procedures. Therapeutic delivery approaches are well known to the skilled artisan, some of which are further described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,363.

To facilitate administration, the TFPI-binding peptide (e.g., TFPI-inhibitory peptide) in one embodiment is formulated into a physiologically-acceptable composition comprising a carrier (i.e., vehicle, adjuvant, buffer, or diluent). The particular carrier employed is limited only by chemico-physical considerations, such as solubility and lack of reactivity with the peptide, and by the route of administration. Physiologically-acceptable carriers are well known in the art. Illustrative pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include without limitation sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions (for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,468). Injectable formulations are further described in, e.g., Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice, J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia. Pa., Banker and Chalmers. eds., pages 238-250 (1982), and ASHP Handbook on Injectable Drugs, Toissel, 4th ed., pages 622-630 (1986)). A pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide provided herein is optionally placed within containers, along with packaging material that provides instructions regarding the use of such pharmaceutical compositions. Generally, such instructions include a tangible expression describing the reagent concentration, as well as, in certain embodiments, relative amounts of excipient ingredients or diluents that may be necessary to reconstitute the pharmaceutical composition.

When appropriate, the TFPI-binding peptide (e.g., TFPI-inhibitory peptide) of the invention is administered in combination with other substances and/or other therapeutic modalities to achieve an additional or augmented biological effect. Co-treatments include, but are not limited to, plasma-derived or recombinant coagulation factors, hemophilia prophylaxis treatments, immunosuppressants, plasma factor-inhibiting antibody antagonists (i.e., anti-inhibitors), antifibrinolytics, antibiotics, hormone therapy, anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) or steroidal anti-inflammatory substances), procoagulants, and pain relievers. In one aspect, the method is an adjunct therapy to traditional replacement factor treatment regimens involving administration of, e.g., FXIII, FXII, FXI (e.g., HEMOLEVEN® (Laboratoire francais du Fractionnement et des Biotechnologies, Les Ulis, France) and FXI concentrate (BioProducts Laboratory, Elstree, Hertfordshire, UK)), FX, FIX (e.g., BENEFIX® Coagulation Factor IX (Wyeth, Madison, N.J.); ALPHANINE® SD (Grifols, Los Angeles, Calif.); MONONINE® (CSL Behring, King of Prussia, Pa.); BEBULIN-VH™ (Baxter, Deerfield, Ill.); PROFILNINE® SD (Grifols, Los Angeles, Calif.); or PROPLEX T™ (Baxter, Deerfield, Ill.)), FVIII (e.g., ADVATE™ (Baxter, Deerfield, Ill.); HELIXATE® FS(CSL Behring, King of Prussia, Pa.); REFACTO® (Wyeth, Madison, N.J.), XYNTHA™ (Wyeth, Madison, N.J.), KOGENATE® and KOGENATE® FS (Bayer, Pittsburgh, Pa.); ALPHANATE® (Grifols, Los Angeles, Calif.); HEMOPHIL M™ (Baxter, Deerfield, Ill.); KOATE®-DVI (Talecris Biotherapeutics-USA, Research Triangle Park, N.C.); or MONARC-M™ (Baxter, Deerfield, Ill.)), FVIIa (e.g., NOVOSEVEN® FVIIa (Novo Nordisk, Princeton, N.J.) and FVII concentrate (Baxter Bioscience, Vienna, Austria, or BioProducts Laboratory, Elstree, Hertfordshire, UK)), FV, FVa, FII, and/or FIII, to a subject. In some instances, the subject also receives FEIBA VH Immuno™ (Baxter BioScience, Vienna, Austria), which is a freeze-dried sterile human plasma fraction with Factor VIII inhibitor bypassing activity. FEIBA VH Immuno™ contains approximately equal units of Factor VIII inhibitor bypassing activity and Prothrombin Complex Factors (Factors II, VII, IX, and X and protein C). Other exemplary co-treatments include, but are not limited to, prekallikrein, high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK), Von Willebrand's factor, Tissue Factor, and thrombin. Alternatively or in addition, the TFPI-inhibitory peptide is co-formulated with one or more different TFPI-inhibitory peptides.

The invention thus includes administering to a subject a TFPI-binding peptide (e.g., TFPI-inhibitory peptide) of the invention (or multiple TFPI-inhibitory peptides), in combination with one or more additionally suitable substances(s), each being administered according to a regimen suitable for that medicament. Administration strategies include concurrent administration (i.e., substantially simultaneous administration) and non-concurrent administration (i.e., administration at different times, in any order, whether overlapping or not) of the TFPI-inhibitory peptide and one or more additionally suitable agents(s). It will be appreciated that different components are optionally administered in the same or in separate compositions, and by the same or different routes of administration.

In some embodiments, the peptide of the invention is conjugated to a moiety, e.g., a therapeutic or diagnostic moiety, such as the detection moieties and co-treatments described above. Alternatively or in addition, the peptide is administered in combination with an interaction partner (e.g., an antibody, antibody fragment, anticalin, aptamer, or spiegelmer) that (a) binds the peptide and (b) is therapeutically active and/or is linked to a moiety that provides additional functionality to the interaction partner (e.g., a therapeutic, diagnostic, or detection agent). Suitable moieties include, but are not limited to, dyes, radionuclides, radionuclide-containing complexes, enzymes, toxins, antibodies, antibody fragments, and cytotoxic agents, and, in some instances, the moiety possesses therapeutic activity (i.e., achieves an advantageous or desired biological effect). The peptide conjugates or peptide-interaction partner pair is suitable for use in any of the methods described herein, such as methods of treating a subject suffering from a disease or disorder or at risk of suffering from a disease or disorder.

All publications, patents and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In addition, the entire document is intended to be related as a unified disclosure, and it should be understood that all combinations of features described herein are contemplated, even if the combination of features are not found together in the same sentence, or paragraph, or section of this document. For example, where protein therapy is described, embodiments involving polynucleotide therapy (using polynucleotides/vectors that encode the protein) are specifically contemplated, and the reverse also is true. Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims. The invention includes, for instance, all embodiments of the invention narrower in scope in any way than the variations specifically mentioned above. With respect to aspects of the invention described as a genus, all individual species are individually considered separate aspects of the invention. With respect to aspects of the invention described or claimed with “a” or “an,” it should be understood that these terms mean “one or more” unless context unambiguously requires a more restricted meaning. With respect to elements described as one or more within a set, it should be understood that all combinations within the set are contemplated.

EXAMPLES Example 1

The following example describes production, identification, and screening of peptides for binding to TFPI.

Peptides candidates were obtained from commercial suppliers (e.g., PolyPeptide Laboratories SAS (Strasbourg, France) and JPT Peptide Technologies GmbH (Berlin, Germany)). Methods for synthesizing candidate peptides are provided above. Candidate peptides were synthesized as trifluoroacetate (TFA) salts with a purity >90% or >60%. All peptides were solved in DMSO to a stock concentration of 10 mM. TFPI-binding peptide sequences were identified using an mRNA display library. The mRNA display technology is superior to other library screening techniques for allowing for a diversity of 10¹⁴ different sequences within a starting pool and avoiding, e.g., the in vivo steps required for phage display. In brief, the technology involves directly linking mRNA to its encoded candidate peptide through a puromycin molecule (FIG. 5). The mRNA display method is further described in International Patent Publication No. WO 2005/051985 and Liu et al., Methods in Enzymology, 318, 268-293 (2000). TFPI was immobilized to a solid support via biotin and exposed to candidate peptide-RNA complexes. TFPI-bound candidate peptide-RNA complexes were isolated, and the RNA reverse transcribed to obtain coding DNA. High affinity binders were obtained following six to ten selection rounds using a competitive elusion strategy. Many of the candidate peptides were 31 amino acids in length (27 randomized amino acids and 2 amino acids flanking both termini).

Selected peptides were synthesized and subjected to peptide optimization using a microarray-based scan analysis to identify peptide fragments retaining TFPI-binding affinity. For example, a microarray-based scan of JBT0047 was performed using a series of 20 amino acid fragments of the peptide, the sequences of which overlapped by 19 amino acids. N- and C-terminal truncation analysis supplemented the scan analysis. The microarray scan results demonstrated that that peptide JBT0293 bound TFPI with the highest affinity. A series of substitution mutants based on the amino acid sequence of JBT0293 was generated and tested for TFPI binding properties.

The affinity of a subset of peptides for TFPI was demonstrated via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-like assay (binding (EC₅₀) ELISA) performed with biotinylated peptides. Ninety-six well MaxiSorp plates (Nunc) were coated with 3 μg/mL TFPI in coating buffer (15 mM Na₂CO₃, 35 mM NaHCO₃, pH 9.6) over night. Plates were washed three times with 350 μl wash buffer (HNaT: 175 mM NaCl, 25 mM HEPES, 5 mM CaCl₂, 0.1% Tween 80, pH 7.35), and subsequently blocked with 200 μl 2% yeast extract in HNaT for 2 hours. Plates were then washed three times with 350 μl HNaT. Biotinylated candidate peptides were diluted from a DMSO stock 1/200 in HNaT. The initial peptide concentration was 50 μM if no precipitate appeared during the 1/200 dilution of the 10 mM peptide stock solution. Pre-dilutions of the peptide stock in DMSO were conducted if precipitates formed. The diluted peptides were applied to the Maxisorp plates, serial dilutions (1/3) were generated, and the dilutions were incubated for 1.5 hours at room temperature. Incubation was followed by three wash steps (350 μl HNaT). Bound peptide was detected by incubation with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated streptavidin (1 hour), followed by three wash steps with HNaT and a subsequent chromogenic conversion of added TMB (3,3′5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidin). The assay is illustrated in FIG. 6A.

Generally, peptide binding to immobilized TFPI was significantly above background. EC₅₀ values for biotinylated peptides are given in FIGS. 32-39. The binding curve of one TFPI-binding peptide, JBT0132, is depicted in FIG. 7. The EC₅₀ of JBT0132 was calculated to be about 2.2 nM.

In addition, a competition (IC₅₀) ELISA was performed using biotinylated TFPI-binding peptides as “tracers” to compete for TFPI-binding with non-biotinylated candidate peptides. The assay principle is depicted in FIG. 6B. Ninety-six well MaxiSorp plates (Nunc) were coated with 3 μg/mL TFPI in coating buffer (15 mM Na₂CO₃, 35 mM NaHCO₃, pH 9.6) over night. Plates were washed three times with 350 μl wash buffer (HNaT: 175 mM NaCl, 25 mM HEPES, 5 mM CaCl₂, 0.1% Tween 80, pH 7.35), and blocked with 200 μl 2% yeast extract in HNaT for 2 hours. Plates were then washed three times with 350 μl HNaT. Biotinylated tracer peptides were applied at a concentration corresponding to their respective EC₉₀ values determined in the binding ELISA (median if n>2). A competitor stock solution of peptide (10 mM) was diluted 1/33.3 in HNaT without HSA, and a serial 1/3 dilution was prepared with HNaT with 3% DMSO. The dilution was further diluted with the biotinylated tracer peptide in a ratio of 1:6 (20 μl competitor dilution and 100 μl tracer peptide). The mixture of competitor and tracer peptide was applied to the TFPI-coated microtiter plate and incubated for 1.5 hours. The plates were washed three times with 350 μl HNaT. Peptide-TFPI binding was detected by applying HRP-conjugated streptavidin to the microtiter plate, incubating the mixture for one hour, washing the plate three times with 350 μl HNaT, applying TMB (3,3′5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidin), and detecting the subsequent chromogenic conversion of TMB by HRP. IC₅₀ graphs for representative non-biotinylated peptides are provided in FIGS. 8A-8D. IC₅₀ measurements of peptides JBT0303, JBT0120, and JBT0224 are set forth in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Tracer Tracer Peptide IC₅₀ [μM] n SD Peptide Concentration [μM] JBT0303 0.119 2 0.064 JBT0131 0.0409 JBT0120 0.0189 3 0.0044 JBT0124 0.0718 JBT0224 n.a. 1 JBT0126 0.240

In addition to the competition ELISA (IC₅₀) assay, a screening assay was employed to measure higher numbers of peptides in parallel. The screening ELISA is similar to the competition IC₅₀ ELISA with the exception that only three different concentrations of the competitor were employed (300 nM, 100 nM and 33.3 nM for the JBT0047 class, and 50000 nM, 16667 nM and 5556 nM for the JBT0122 class). In some instances, screening results were expressed as percent inhibition of the tracer signal in relation to a competitive peptide (competitive peptide JBT0477 for the JBT0047 family, and competitive peptide JBT1697 for the JBT0122 family). The competition IC₅₀ assay results and the screening assay results of peptides prepared and screened in accordance with the methods set forth herein are provided in FIGS. 32-39. The mean IC₅₀ values presented in FIGS. 32-39 are based on a greater number of assays than the values presented in Table 3 and, therefore, the values may differ slightly. The results of the screening ELISA are presented as percent inhibition of tracer peptide JBT0131 binding. Several peptides that were analyzed using the IC₅₀ ELISA are classified in FIGS. 32-39 according to their binding affinity as set forth in Table 4.

TABLE 4 TFPI competition ELISA IC₅₀ [nM] Group <50 nM A  50 ≦ x < 100 nM B 100 ≦ x < 250 nM C  250 ≦ x < 1000 nM D 1000 ≦ x < 5000 nM E  5000 ≦ x < 10000 nM F 10000 ≦ x < 50000 nM G

Exemplary TFPI-binding peptides identified using the methods described herein are presented in Table 5. Some peptides were biotinylated, and many comprise N- and C-terminal lysines to promote solubility. Several peptides exhibited TFPI-inhibitory activity in model and/or plasmatic assay systems, as described below.

TABLE 5 Peptide Parent Sequence SEQ ID JBT0047 QSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAK 1 JBT0047 JBT0047 Ac-SGVGRLQVAFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLTS-NH2 253 JBT0051 JBT0047 Biotinyl-Ttds-SGVGRLQVAFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLTS-NH2 962 JBT0055 JBT0047 Ac-SGVGRLQVAFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLTS-Ttds-Lys(Biotinyl)- 963 NH2 JBT0131 JBT0047 Biotinyl-Ttds-AFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAK-NH2 964 JBT0132 JBT0047 Biotinyl-Ttds-FQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKL-NH2 965 JBT0133 JBT0047 Biotinyl-Ttds-QSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLT-NH2 966 JBT0155 JBT0047 Ac-KKSGVGRLQVAFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLTSKK-NH2 8 JBT0158 JBT0047 Ac-KKSGVGRLQVAFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKKK-NH2 9 JBT0162 JBT0047 Ac-KKGRLQVAFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLTSKK-NH2 10 JBT0163 JBT0047 Ac-KKQVAFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLTSKK-NH2 11 JBT0164 JBT0047 Ac-KKFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLTSKK-NH2 12 JBT0166 JBT0047 Biotinyl-Ttds-KKFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLKK-NH2 968 JBT0169 JBT0047 Ac-KKAFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKKK-NH2 254 JBT0170 JBT0047 Ac-KKFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLKK-NH2 13 JBT0171 JBT0047 Ac-KKQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLTKK-NH2 255 JBT0174 JBT0047 Ac-KKAFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLKK-NH2 14 JBT0175 JBT0047 Ac-KKAFQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKLTKK-NH2 182 JBT0293 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKL-NH2 256 X₃X₄X₅KX₇NVFX₁₁X₁₂GYX₁₅X₁₆RLRAKX₂₂ 2 JBT0294 JBT0047 Ac-YQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKL-NH2 257 JBT0295 JBT0047 Ac-FSSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKL-NH2 713 JBT0296 JBT0047 Ac-FQNKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKL-NH2 407 JBT0297 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKNNVFVFGYFERLRAKL-NH2 183 JBT0298 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKQNVFVFGYFERLRAKL-NH2 747 JBT0299 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFAFGYFERLRAKL-NH2 408 JBT0300 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFSFGYFERLRAKL-NH2 409 JBT0301 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFTFGYFERLRAKL-NH2 470 JBT0302 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVAGYFERLRAKL-NH2 258 JBT0303 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVDGYFERLRAKL-NH2 184 JBT0304 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVLGYFERLRAKL-NH2 259 JBT0305 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVQGYFERLRAKL-NH2 260 JBT0306 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVSGYFERLRAKL-NH2 185 JBT0307 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVYGYFERLRAKL-NH2 261 JBT0308 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVFGYKERLRAKL-NH2 411 JBT0309 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVFGYYERLRAKL-NH2 412 JBT0310 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVFGYFDRLRAKL-NH2 262 JBT0311 JBT0047 Ac-FQSKKNVFVFGYFERLRAKN-NH2 748 TFVDERLLYFLTIGNMGMYAAQLKF 3 JBT0049 JBT0049 Ac-SGNTFVDERLLYFLTIGNMGMYAAQLKFRTS-NH2 3025 JBT0053 JBT0049 Biotinyl-Ttds-SGNTFVDERLLYFLTIGNMGMYAAQLKFRTS-NH2 3006 JBT0057 JBT0049 Ac-SGNTFVDERLLYFLTIGNMGMYAAQLKFRTS-Ttds-Lysin(biotin)- 3018 NH2 JBT0190 JBT0049 Ac-KKSGNTFVDERLLYFLTIGNMGMYAAQLKFRTSKK-NH2 3031 JBT0193 JBT0049 Ac-KKSGNTFVDERLLYFLTIGNMGMYAAQLKFKK-NH2 3073 JBT0197 JBT0049 Ac-KKTFVDERLLYFLTIGNMGMYAAQLKFRTSKK-NH2 3076 VIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRY 4 JBT0050 JBT0050 Ac-SGRGCTKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNCTS-NH2 3047 JBT0054 JBT0050 Biotinyl-Ttds-SGRGCTKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNCTS-NH2 3002 JBT0058 JBT0050 Ac-SGRGCTKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNCTS-Ttds-Lysin(biotin)-NH2 3003 JBT0129 JBT0050 Ac-SGRG[CTKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNC]TS-NH2 3026 JBT0130 JBT0050 Biotinyl-Ttds-SGRG[CTKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNC]TS-NH2 3001 JBT0205 JBT0050 Ac-KKSGRGCTKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNCTSKK-NH2 3029 JBT0208 JBT0050 Ac-KKSGRGCTKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNKK-NH2 3027 JBT0211 JBT0050 Ac-KKGCTKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNCTSKK-NH2 3032 JBT0212 JBT0050 Ac-KKKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNCTSKK-NH2 3033 JBT0217 JBT0050 Ac-KKTKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYKK-NH2 3062 JBT0218 JBT0050 Ac-KKKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNKK-NH2 3063 JBT0219 JBT0050 Ac-KKVIVFTFRHNKLIGYERRYNCKK-NH2 3030 GVWQTHPRYFWTMWPDIKGEVIVLFGT 5 JBT0101 JBT0101 Ac-KKSGVWQTHPRYFWTMWPDIKGEVIVLFGTSKK-NH2 3036 JBT0052 JBT0101 Biotinyl-Ttds-KKSGVWQTHPRYFWTMWPDIKGEVIVLFGTSKK-NH2 3004 JBT0103 JBT0101 Ac-KKSGVWQTHPRYFWTMWPDIKGEVIVLFGTS-Ttds-KK- 3005 Lysin(biotinyl)-NH2 JBT0178 JBT0101 Ac-KKSGVWQTHPRYFWTMWPDIKGEVIVLFGTKK-NH2 3028 JBT0182 JBT0101 Ac-KKGVWQTHPRYFWTMWPDIKGEVIVLFGTSKK-NH2 3037 KWFCGMRDMKGTMSCVWVKF 6 JBT0120 JBT0120 Ac-SGASRYKWF[CGMRDMKGTMSC]VWVKFRYDTS-NH2 1047 JBT0124 Biotinyl-Ttds-SGASRYKWF[CGMRDMKGTMSC]VWVKFRYDTS-NH2 1290 JBT0247 JBT0120 Ac-SGASRYKWFCGMRDMKGTMSCVWVKFRYDTS-NH2 1213 JBT0248 JBT0120 Ac-KKSGASRYKWF[CGMRDMKGTMSC]VWVKFRYDTSKK-NH2 1001 JBT0251 JBT0120 Ac-KKKWFCGMRDMKGTMSCVWVKFKK-NH2 1202 JBT0252 JBT0120 Ac-KKCGMRDMKGTMSCVWVKFRYDKK-NH2 1215 ASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMA 7 JBT0122 JBT0122 Ac-SGYASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMALARLYYKTS-NH2 2002 JBT0126 JBT0122 Biotinyl-Ttds-SGYASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMALARLYYKTS-NH2 2498 JBT0221 JBT0122 Ac-KKSGYASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMALARLYYKTSKK-NH2 2003 JBT0224 JBT0122 Ac-KKSGYASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMALARLYYKK-NH2 2298 JBT0225 JBT0122 Ac-KKSGYASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMALARKK-NH2 2128 JBT0226 JBT0122 Ac-KKSGYASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMAKK-NH2 2299 JBT0228 JBT0122 Ac-KKASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMALARLYYKTSKK-NH2 2016 JBT0232 JBT0122 Ac-KKGYASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMKK-NH2 2303 JBT0233 JBT0122 Ac-KKYASFPLAVQLHVSKRSKEMAKK-NH2 2304

This example provides exemplary methods of generating and characterizing TFPI-inhibitory peptides. All peptides in Table 5 were found to bind human TFPI-1α. Mutation analysis demonstrated that at least one amino acid in a TFPI-binding peptide may be substituted while retaining affinity for TFPI. The peptides of Table 5 tested in ELISA assays bound TFPI-1α with an EC₅₀ of less than 10 μM (1×10⁻⁵ M) and an IC₅₀ of less than 50 μM.

Example 2

Selected TFPI-binding peptides were further characterized in terms of “anti-target” binding. This example demonstrates that TFPI-inhibitory peptides exhibit reduced affinity for non-TFPI-1 proteins.

TFPI-2 was selected as an anti-target because of its similarity to TFPI-1. The binding kinetics of TFPI-binding peptides to human TFPI-1 (residues 29-282 fused at the C-terminus to a 10 His-tag; MW 41 kDa (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.; catalog number 2974-PI)) murine TFPI-1 (residues 29-289 fused at the C-terminus to a 10 His-tag; MW 41 kDa (R&D Systems; catalogue number 2975-PI)), and TFPI-2 (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) were studied using a BIAcore 3000™ surface plasmon resonance assay (GE Healthcare, Chalfont St. Giles, UK). TFPI proteins were immobilized on a Cl chip (GE Healthcare, Order Code: BR-1005-40) by amine coupling chemistry aiming for 500 RU. Several TFPI-binding peptides were employed as analytes for interacting with the immobilized TFPI proteins. A flow rate of 30 μl/min was utilized. After 180 seconds, 180 μl of peptide solution was injected at six different concentrations ranging from 3.84 nM to 656.25 nM, followed by a dissociation time of 480 seconds. The chip was regenerated with 45 μl 10 mM NaOH. Each binding experiment was preceded and followed by four measurements with HBS-P buffer (10 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 0.005% P20) plus 1% DMSO and 0.8% P80. BIAevaluation® Version 4.1 software (GE Healthcare) was employed to analyze the data. Sensorgrams were fitted to a 1:1 Langmuir binding curve to determine k_(on) and k_(off) and calculate K_(D).

Certain tested peptides, e.g., JBT0050, JBT0121, JBT0205 and JBT0211, bound to the blank cell and binding constants from those sensorgrams could not be determined. JBT0133 showed weak binding to TFPI-1. Sensorgrams from other peptides gave reliable binding constants. Results from BIAcore analysis of several TFPI-inhibitory peptides is provided in Table 6 and FIGS. 19-21. Each of the peptides listed in Table 6 presented a K_(D) of less than 10 μM. Sensorgrams of two of the peptides are provided as FIGS. 9A and 9B.

TABLE 6 Peptide k_(on) (1/Ms) k_(off) (1/s) K_(D) (M) JBT0047 4.0 × 10⁵ 1.9 × 10⁻² 4.7 × 10⁻⁸ JBT0120 1.17 × 10⁶  4.78 × 10⁻²  4.08 × 10⁻⁸  JBT0131 1.4 × 10⁵ 6.0 × 10⁻² 4.31 × 10⁻⁷  JBT0132 3.55 × 10⁴  3.26 × 10⁻²  9.17 × 10⁻⁷  JBT0224 6.39 × 10⁴  1.95 × 10⁻²  3.05 × 10⁻⁷  JBT0293 6.0 × 10⁵ 5.6 × 10⁻² 9.5 × 10⁻⁸ JBT0297 5.0 × 10⁵ 1.4 × 10⁻² 2.9 × 10⁻⁸ JBT0303 8.13 × 10⁵  2.75 × 10⁻²  3.4 × 10⁻⁸ JBT0305 7.5 × 10⁵ 3.1 × 10⁻² 6.1 × 10⁻⁸

Interaction with the TFPI-2 anti-target also was examined. The maximum signal generated from candidate peptide interaction with human TFPI-2 was much lower than the signals obtained with TFPI-1 as an interaction partner. Kinetic analysis of the low TFPI-2 binding signals was prone to error; therefore, visual comparison of sensorgrams was used to estimate binding affinity. A sensorgram illustrating JBT0120 binding to TFPI-1 and TFPI-2 is provided as FIGS. 10A and 10B. JBT0120 binds TFPI-2 with 10-fold lower affinity compared to its binding affinity for TFPI-1. JBT0132 also was found to exhibit at least 10-fold greater affinity for TFPI-1 than TFPI-2.

The data provided by this example confirm that TFPI-inhibitory peptides specifically bind TFPI-1.

Example 3

The following example describes the characterization of TFPI-inhibitory activity of select peptides identified in Example 1 using a FXa inhibition and extrinsic tenase inhibition assay. Both assays are predictive of activity in plasmatic systems. The extrinsic tenase assay gives insight into the influence of the peptides on (a) the interaction of FXa and TFPI and (b) the interaction of the FXa-TFPI complex with the TF-FVIIa complex. The FXa inhibition assay measures a peptide's influence on the interaction of FXa and TFPI only.

The extrinsic tenase complex is responsible for FX and FIX activation upon initiation of the coagulation process. The extrinsic complex is composed of FVIIa, Tissue Factor (TF), and FX substrate. To determine the influence of peptides on the TFPI-mediated inhibition of the extrinsic tenase complex, a coupled enzyme assay was established. Peptides were diluted 1/6.25 from 10 mM stocks (in DMSO) and further diluted by serial 1/4 dilutions in DMSO to prevent unwanted precipitation. TFPI was diluted in HNaCa—HSA (25 mM HEPES; 175 mM NaCl; 5 mM CaCl₂; 0.1% HSA; pH 7.35). FVIIa, lipidated TF, phospholipid vesicles (DOPC/POPS 80/20), and chromogenic substrate specific for FXa (S-2222 (available from DiaPharma, West Chester, Ohio)), all diluted in HNaCa—HSA, were added to 96-well plates. After an incubation period, TFPI and peptide dilutions were added, resulting in a final concentration of 2.5% DMSO. FX activation was initiated by adding FX to the wells. FXa-mediated chromogenic substrate conversion was determined by observing an increase in absorbance using a micro-plate reader. The amount of FXa generated at certain time points was calculated from the OD readings. FXa generated at 20 minutes after start of the reaction was considered for calculation of EC₅₀ from plots of peptide concentration versus the inhibition of TFPI (%).

The functional inhibition of TFPI also was examined using a FXa inhibition assay. A FXa-specific chromogenic substrate (S-2222) and TFPI, both diluted in HNaCa—HSA, were added to 96 well plates. Peptides were diluted 1/6.25 from 10 mM stocks (in DMSO) and further diluted by serial 1/4 dilutions in DMSO to prevent unwanted precipitation. The peptide dilutions (2.5 μl) were added to the 96 well plates, resulting in a final concentration of 2.5% DMSO. The conversion of chromogenic substrate was triggered by the addition of FXa, and the kinetics of the conversion were measured in a micro-plate reader. Because TFPI inhibits FXa slowly, OD readings after 115 minutes were considered for calculation of the EC₅₀ from plots of peptide concentration versus the inhibition of TFPI (%).

Results from the extrinsic tenase assay and FXa inhibition assay are provided in Table 7 and FIGS. 22-27.

TABLE 7 FXa Inhibition Assay Extrinsic Tenase Assay % inhibition % inhibition EC₅₀ [μM] @ 2.5 μM EC₅₀ [μM] @ 2.5 μM JBT0120 0.9 45 0.9 45 JBT0132 1.2 36 0.1 10 JBT0224 n.a. 26 3.5 18 JBT0303 1.2 61 n.a. 8

Referring to Table 7, JBT0120, JBT0132, and JBT0224 restored extrinsic complex-mediated FX activation in the presence of TFPI-1 with an EC₅₀ of <2 μM, resulting in between about 20% to about 60% inhibition of TFPI activity. JBT0047 (EC₅₀=1.4 μM), JBT0131 (EC₅₀=2.2 μM), and JBT0293 (EC₅₀=2.9 μM) also restored extrinsic complex activity in the presence of TFPI-1. In addition, JBT0120, JBT0132, JBT0224, and JBT0303 restored FXa activity in the presence of TFPI-1 with an EC₅₀ of <5 μM, resulting in between about 5% to about 50% inhibition of TFPI activity, in the FXa inhibition assay. JBT0047 (EC₅₀=0.7 μM), JBT0131 (EC₅₀=8.2 μM), JBT0293 (EC₅₀=1.3 μM), JBT0297 (EC₅₀=0.6 μM), and JBT0305 (EC₅₀=2.3 μM) also restored activity of FXa in the presence of TFPI-1 in the FXa inhibition assay. This example confirms that peptides of the invention are TFPI antagonists.

Example 4

In this example, the TFPI inhibitory activity of peptides is established using a plasma-based assay.

The influence of peptides on thrombin generation was measured in duplicate via calibrated automated thrombography in a Fluoroskan Ascent® reader (Thermo Labsystems, Helsinki, Finland; filters 390 nm excitation and 460 nm emission) following the slow cleavage of the thrombin-specific fluorogenic substrate Z-Gly-Gly-Arg-AMC (Hemker, Pathophysiol. Haemost. Thromb., 33, 4-15 (2003)). Plasma from patients with FVIII or FIX deficiency (George King Bio-Medical Inc., Overland Park, KN) was obtained for testing. The residual coagulation factor activity for each of the plasmas was lower than 1%. As a model for antibody-mediated FVIII deficiency, frozen pooled normal plasma (George King Bio-Medical Inc., Overland Park, KN) was incubated with high titer, heat inactivated, anti-human FVIII plasma raised in goat (4490 BU/ml; Baxter BioScience, Vienna, Austria) giving rise to 50 BU/mL. The plasmas were mixed with corn trypsin inhibitor (CTI) (Hematologic Technologies, Inc., Essex Junction, Vt.) to inhibit Factor XIIa contamination, resulting in a final concentration of 40 μg/mL.

Pre-warmed (37° C.) plasma (80 μL) was added to each well of a 96 well micro-plate (Immulon 2HB, clear U-bottom; Thermo Electron, Waltham, Mass.). To trigger thrombin generation by Tissue Factor, 10 μL of PPP low reagent containing low amounts (12 pM) of recombinant human Tissue Factor and phospholipid vesicles composed of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine (48 μM) (Thrombinoscope BV, Maastricht, The Netherlands) were added. Peptides were diluted 1/7.5 from 10 mM stocks with DMSO, and further diluted 1/8.33 with Aqua-Dest resulting in a DMSO concentration of 12%, providing a 0.5% DMSO concentration in the final assay mix. Just prior putting the plate into the pre-warmed (37° C.) reader, 5 μL of HEPES buffered saline with 5 mg/mL human serum albumin (Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., USA) or 12% DMSO in Aqua-Dest was added, followed by addition of the peptide dilutions or reference proteins (FVIII Immunate reference standard (Baxter BioScience, Vienna, Austria); Factor VIII Inhibitor By-Passing Activity (FEIBA) reference standard (Baxter BioScience, Vienna, Austria); NovoSeven (Novo Nordisk, Denmark); and purified human plasma FIX (Enzyme Research Laboratories, South Bend, Ill.)). Thrombin generation was initiated by dispensing into each well 20 μL of FluCa reagent (Thrombinoscope BV, Maastricht, The Netherlands) containing a fluorogenic substrate and HEPES-buffered CaCl₂ (100 mM). Fluorescence intensity was recorded at 37° C.

The parameters of the resulting thrombin generation curves were calculated using Thrombinoscope™ software (Thrombinoscope BV, Maastricht, The Netherlands) and thrombin calibrator to correct for inner filter and substrate consumption effects (Hemker, Pathophysiol. Haemost. Thromb., 33, 4-15 (2003)). For calculating the thrombin generating activity of certain peptide concentrations equivalent to the reference proteins (e.g., FVIII Immunate® reference standard, FEIBA reference standard), the thrombin amounts at the peak of each thrombin generation curve (peak thrombin, nM) were plotted against the standard concentrations, and fitted by a non-linear algorithm. Based on this calibration, FVIII Immunate, FIX, FEIBA or NovoSeven equivalent activities were calculated. Results for various peptides are provided in FIGS. 12-18 and 28-30. Representative results are provided in Table 8. (* denotes that FVIII deficient plasma was obtained from a different donor.)

TABLE 8 % FVIII-equivalent activity in FEIBA-equivalent activity in FVIII deficient plasma @ FVIII inhibited plasma @ 10 μM peptide 10 μM peptide [mU/ml] JBT0120  37.4* 298 JBT0132  5.3 41 JBT0224 16.2 191 JBT0303 20.8 253

With reference to Table 8, JBT0120, JBT0132, JBT0224, and JBT0303 improved TFPI-dependent thrombin generation in FVIII-depleted plasma to levels exceeding 1% of the level of thrombin generation in plasma containing FVIII (% FVIII-equivalent activity). The tested peptides exhibited approximately 5%-40% FVIII-equivalent activity in FVIII-deficient plasma. JBT0120 and JBT0132 improved peak thrombin and peak time, dose dependently, as illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

Example 5

The following example demonstrates that the peptides of the invention can be modified by the addition of moieties that enhance physicochemical or pharmacokinetic properties of the peptides. As illustrated below, the addition of 40 kDa PEG to peptides described herein dramatically improved the pharmacokinetic behavior of the peptides.

Methods of conjugating chemical or biological moieties to peptides are known in the art. To add PEG (polyethylene glycol) to the peptides describe herein, a functional group (AOA=aminooxy acetate) was added to the N-terminus of the peptides for coupling to aldehydes and ketones. Alternatively, a cysteine was added to the C-terminal part of the peptide for coupling with maleimid (Hermanson, Bioconjugate Techniques, Academic Press (1996)). The peptides (JBT1586) AOA-FQSKGNVFVDGYFERL-Aib-AKL-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 166) and (JBT1587) Ac-FQSKGNVFVDGYFERL-Aib-AKLC-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 167) were used for N-terminal and C-terminal modification with PEG, respectively. AOA-FQSKGNVFVDGYFERL-Aib-AKL-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 166) and Ac-FQSKGNVFVDGYFERL-Aib-AKLC-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 167) were incubated with excess 40 kDa mPEG-Propionaldehyde (SUNBRIGHT ME-400AL2, NOF, Japan) and 40 kDa mPEG-maleimide (SUNBRIGHT ME-400MA, NOF, Japan), respectively. The resulting PEGylated peptides, JBT1853 and JBT1855, show similar affinities compared to the starting structure Ac-FQSKGNVFVDGYFERL-Aib-AKL-NH2 (JBT0740) (SEQ ID NO: 66).

The resulting PEGylated peptides demonstrated significantly increased plasma stability and prolonged plasma half-life in mice. FIG. 31 illustrates the results from a pharmacokinetic analysis of the free peptide JBT0740 (Ac-FQSKGNVFVDGYFERL-Aib-AKL-NH2) (SEQ ID NO: 66) compared to the C-terminally PEGylated peptide JBT1855 (Ac-FQSKGNVFVDGYFERL-Aib-AKLC(PEG(40 kD))-NH2) (SEQ ID NO: 252). In contrast to the unPEGylated peptide, the PEGylated peptide is present at high concentrations in mouse plasma at 100 minutes post-administration. The unPEGylated peptide is rapidly cleared from the plasma. 

What is claimed:
 1. A peptide that binds TFPI, comprising the following structure of formula (I): X1001-X1002-X1003-X1004-X1005-X1006-X1007-X1008-X1009-X1010-X1011-X1012-X1013-X1014-X1015-X1016-X1017-X1018-X1019-X1020  (I) (SEQ ID NO: 3116): wherein X1001 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of β-Homophenylalanine (Bhf), C, D, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, (S)—N-Methyl-phenylalanine (Nmf), Q, R, T, V, W and Y; wherein X1002 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of G and Q; wherein X1003 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, 2-Amino-isobutyric acid (Aib), β-Homoserine (Bhs), C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; wherein X1004 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, β-Homolysine (Bhk), C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, k, L, M, N, (S)—N-Methyl-lysine (Nmk), P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; wherein X1005 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of a, A, Aib, β-Alanine (Bal), C, D, D-Aspartic Acid (d), E, F, G, H, K, k, L, M, N, N-Methyl-glycine (Nmg), D-Proline (p), Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; wherein X1006 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, β-Homoasparagin (Btq), C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S T, V, W and Y; wherein X1007 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, F, I, K, L, (S)—N-Methyl-valine (Nmv), P, Q, S, V, W and Y; wherein X1008 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of F, H, K, W and Y; wherein X1009 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, D-Phenylalanine (f), I, K, S, T and V; wherein X1010 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Nmf, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; wherein X1011 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aib, C, K, G and Nmg; wherein X1012 is Y; wherein X1013 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, C, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, Q, R, W and Y; wherein X1014 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Aib, β-Homoglutamatic acid (Bhe), C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; wherein X1015 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of (omega-methyl)-R, D, E, K and R; wherein X1016 is L; wherein X1017 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of (omega-methyl)-R, A, Aib, β-Homoarginine (Bhr), C, (S)-Cyclohexylalanine (Cha), (S)-Citrullin (Cit), D, (S)-2,4-Diaminobutyric acid (Dab), (S)-Diaminopropionic acid (Dap), E, (S)-2-Propargylglycine (Eag), (S)—N(omega)-nitro-arginine (Eew), F, G, H, (S)-Homo-arginine (Har), (S)-Homo-citrulline (Hci), (S)-2-Amino-5-methyl-hexanoic acid (Hle), I, K, L, M, N, (S)-Norleucine (Nle), (S)-2-Amino-pentanoic acid (Nva), (S)-2-Pyridyl-alanine (Opa), (S)-Ornithine (Orn), Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; wherein X1018 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Bal, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y; wherein X1019 is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Bhk, K, R and V; and wherein X1020 is either present or absent, whereby in case X1020 is present it is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of Aib, β-Homoleucine (Bhl), C, F, G, H, I, K, L, (S)—N-Methyl-leucine (Nml), Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y.
 2. A peptide that binds TFPI, comprising the following structure of formula (III): X1001-Q-X1003-X1004-X1005-X1006-I/V-X1008-V-X1010-G-Y-C/F-X1014-R-L-X1017-X1018-K-K/L  (III) (SEQ ID NO: 3117) wherein X1001, X1003, X1004, X1005, X1006, X1008, X1010, X1014, X1017 and X1018 are each independently selected from any amino acid.
 3. The peptide of claim 1, the peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 16-123, 125-127, 129-178, 183-188, 190-252, 256-270, 272-284, 286-405, 407-422, 424-428, 430-434, 436-452, 455-458, 461, 468, 471, 472, 474, 475, 478-480, 482-484, 486-488, 490, 491, 493-498, 500-502, 505-507, 509, 511-519, 523, 524, 527, 530, 532, 533, 536, 538-540, 542, 545, 548-550, 553-559, 561, 563-565, 568-572, 576, 577, 579-582, 584-628, 630, 632, 633, 635-648, 650-658, 660-671, 690-693, 698, 700-709, 720, 724, 725, 731, 736-740, 747, 749, 765, 767-769, 774, 783, 785-788, 791, 795, 807, 811, 817, 818, 823, 829, 835, 851, 858, 872-874, 876, 893, 926, 938, 944, 952, 953, and 972, 973, and 975-978.
 4. A method for treating a blood coagulation disorder in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a peptide that inhibits TFPI activity, wherein the peptide is administered in an amount sufficient to treat the blood coagulation disorder in the subject.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the peptide is a peptide as defined in claim
 1. 